In a way, writing this story is a bit of déjà vu.
It was at this exact time last year that former NFL star wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. analyzed the game of the Bucs’ 2025 first-round pick, Emeka Egbuka. At the time, Egbuka’s fit into the fold was initially quite interesting, given the presence of veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. on the roster. The Ohio State product quickly put those concerns to rest by showcasing the traits Smith discussed about his game, such as his polished route-running, football intelligence, and reliability.
Turn the calendar over, and Smith talked very highly of another Tampa Bay draft pick — Ted Hurst.
Hurst was the team’s 2026 third-round selection, taken with the intention to fill the void Evans left as a tall X wide receiver who can be a factor on deep balls and near the goal line. Smith was quick to dismiss that skill set being all that he can bring to the table, though.
In fact, he compared him to a well-recognized and recent NFL Hall of Fame inductee.
Steve Smith Sr. On Ted Hurst: “The Kid Is Remarkable, Man”
After Emeka Egbuka fell into the Bucs lap in the 2025 NFL Draft, Ted Hurst followed course and landed in Tampa Bay after the team took him 84th overall late last month. That came after trading down, with it looking like a shrewd move that paid off in acquiring an extra pick and still getting their guy.
When it comes to Hurst, he was a small-school standout from Valdosta State who transferred to Georgia State and stayed loyal to the program. Despite keeping a low profile in the college ranks, he stood out at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
One might have already seen this catch a few (dozen) times but is worth another watch and speaks to what he also put on film.
“Watching his film is exceptional,” Steve Smith Sr. said. “This is a kid who, to some degree, came out of nowhere, but he was able to solidify himself at the Senior Bowl.”
Hurst’s performance there in late January started to move him up draft boards and provide a floor. Then at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine the following month, his stock continued to rise by running a 4.42 40-yard time. Given his physical traits and abilities, it was no surprise that Smith spoke highly of him while profiling his game in late March.
Bucs WR Ted Hurst – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Vasha Hunt
“The kid is remarkable, man,” Smith said discussing Hurst’s separating and route-running abilities. “He high-points the football, long strider. Goes up and gets the football, uses his hands. They moved him around a lot. The question was — what was he going to run in his 40? He runs a 4.42. Releases are crazy, I really love his releases and hand swipe, he’s a swimmer. I love how he swims, does a really good job getting off press coverage. He’s a big guy; he can go up and get it. Fights through contact, excellent route-runner, in my opinion.”
During his two seasons at Georgia State, Hurst emerged as the star of the program.
Bucs WR Ted Hurst – Photo courtesy of Georgia State Athletics
Even with middling quarterback play at times, he recorded 56 receptions for 961 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. He followed that up with 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. Assessing and contextualizing his work, Smith sees someone that can immediately provide a jolt and have staying power in an NFL passing game.
“Out wide 83% this [past] season and his career,” Smith said breaking down where he lined up in college. “In the slot only 16% of the time for the year… A lot of the passes, a lot of the attention was directed toward him. Total targets 124, for the year 71 receptions. Just really impressed with him. Only 21% of his routes were deep, 29% intermediate, 41% short, and then behind the line of scrimmage 8%.
“Overall, I just see a lot of good things from him. I don’t think he gets enough credit because the type of competition he’s played against; some people are just checking the box off. I just love what he brings to the table. I think he’s going to shock some people when he gets into a good organization, and they keep refining exactly all the things that he brings to the table as of right now.”
Steve Smith Sr.’s Ted Hurst Comp Is “A Faster Larry Fitzgerald”
The most interesting tidbit from Steve Smith Sr. was who Ted Hurst reminded him of. While Hurst went on record after being drafted that he models his game after Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, Smith sees more.
“My comp by watching him, just seeing him, I wrote down a faster Larry Fitzgerald,” Smith said. “Catches the ball like him, gets in space, knows exactly how to do it and adjust to the ball so well.”
Bucs WR Ted Hurst – Photo by: IMAGN Images
Nothing against Higgins, but few wide receivers match up to NFL Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds during his playing days, “Fitz” dominated throughout his 20s, putting together six 1,000-yard seasons. As his speed declined in his 30s, he reinvented himself as more of a possession wide receiver, tallying three more 1,000-yard seasons. When it comes to Hurst, Smith sees similarities in how he takes on cornerbacks and his level of concentration catching the football while controlling his body.
Smith and NFL insider James Palmer analyzed that further for about 10 minutes turning on the film, but one of the biggest takeaways outside of that comparison is the confidence they have in Hurst being able to run a more expanded route tree. He is not just a one-trick pony, and when asked from where he can see him play at the next level, Smith did not even mention playing the X position first.
“He’s a Z, or depending on the team, he can turn into their F.”
With the Bucs already having Z and F options in wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan, Hurst will begin his career fitting more of a specific niche. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson needs someone with size to stack defensive backs and stretch the field vertically. Given the deep room, that leaves Robinson with a lot of toys and a lot of targets to spread around.
Bucs WRs Jalen McMillan, Chris Godwin, Tez Johnson, Sterling Shepard and Emeka Egbuka – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Even with all the talent surrounding Hurst, Smith believes he could and should be utilized whenever possible.
“Overall, for me, what kind of guy do I see is this is a big, burly guy,” Smith said. “You get him into your organization, you go ahead and you line him up because he can line up anywhere. He has the speed to play X, but he has the physicality to play Z, and he has the potential to dominate to rotate as being your F. It really just depends on where you are, how things look, and what is surrounding him.”
It is interesting to note how highly Smith thought of Hurst in the pre-draft process. A theme of the Bucs 2026 draft class is that they found great value selecting prospects, and Hurst was thought to be someone who could have went an entire round earlier.
“I think in the second round would be good. I see a run on guys in the second round just because the first-round guys are the first-round guys… A day 2 guy like Ted Hurst can really benefit and actually go to a team that doesn’t need him today but flourishes and becomes a key centerpiece for their offense in years to come.”
That sounds like a realistic path for Ted Hurst, one that he will begin during his rookie season with the Bucs. For the full breakdown of Hurst’s game, Steve Smith Sr.’s film breakdown with James Palmer is a must-watch that you can find below.