BIOGRAPHY
James Hurst was born on December 17th, 1991, in Danville, Indiana. He is an offensive tackle in the NFL.
Prior to his college career, Hurst attended Plainfield High School, where he was named to the 2009 USA Today All-American team, and played in the Under Armour All-America Game.
During his freshman season in 2010, Hurst earned Freshman All-America honors by Rivals.com, Phil Steele and The Sporting News. He appeared in all 13 games and started the final 12 games of the regular season at left tackle and saw action on 845 snaps during the season and graded out at a team-high 83 percent. He was third on the team with 33 knock-down blocks. Hurst played all 72 offensive plays in the win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.
In 2011 during his sophomore season, Hurst earned second-team All-ACC honors for his play at left tackle. He started all 13 games and saw action on 851 plays and graded out at 88 percent for the season, best on the team. He helped pave the way for Giovani Bernard to gain 1,253 rushing yards, the first time a Tar Heel back has rushed for over 1,000 yards since 1997. Hurst finished with 30 regular-season knockdown blocks on the year, good for third on the team.
During his junior season in 2012, Hurst earned first-team All-ACC honors from the league’s head coaches and second-team honors from the media. He was part of an offensive line unit that paved the way for Carolina to set school records in total offense, scoring and passing yards and leading the way from the left tackle position, helped Carolina allow just 11 total sacks on the year.
Hurst was a leader who returned to lead the Carolina offensive line as a senior. He was one of the nation’s best-left tackles who will compete for All-ACC and All-America accolades in his final collegiate season. He started a school-record-tying 48 games in his career since earning a starting job in the second week of his true freshman season. Hurst was named preseason third-team All-America and first-team All-ACC selection by Phil Steele and also a second-team preseason All-America pick by The Sporting News.
Hurst signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent on May 10, 2014. Hurst became a full-time starter for the Ravens in 2017, starting all 16 games at left guard.
On March 12, 2018, Hurst signed a four-year contract extension with the Ravens.
On March 15, 2021, Hurst signed a three-year contract extension with the Saints.
