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Steelers Invite Notre Dame Special Teams Demon to Rookie Camp
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- Steelers Invite Notre Dame Special Teams Demon to Rookie Camp
Max Hurleman, Colgate Athletics
The Pittsburgh Steelers have invited Notre Dame special teamer Max Hurleman to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, the school announced on Monday.
Hurleman started out his collegiate journey as a running back at Colgate. With the Raiders , he played in 35 games and made 23 starts over four seasons. He was the starting running back in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, rushing 92 times for 346 yards and one touchdown in 2021 and 83 times for 397 yards in 2022. He was also a prolific receiver, catching 30 passes for 281 yards in 2021 and 20 for 239 yards and one touchdown in 2022.
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In 2023, Hurleman moved to wide receiver, but did not see as much playing time, catching 28 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns as a redshirt junior.
Hurleman then transferred to Notre Dame as a cornerback for the 2024 season. He played just three snaps of defense for the Fighting Irish .
No matter what position he is listed at, Hurleman's major contributions have come on special teams. He returned 23 punts for Notre Dame last season for 138 yards. He also returned punts and kicks for Colgate in his time with the Raiders.
At Notre Dame, Hurleman was a four-phase special teamer, playing on kickoff return, kick coverage, punt return and punt coverage units. In addition to his returns, he had four special teams tackles in 2024.
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Over the last few seasons, the Steelers have typically signed one or two players to contracts from rookie camp invitees. Among the team's rookie camp tryout successes have been quarterback Devlin Hodges in 2019. Last year, vets Anthony Averett and Jonathan Ward made the team after trying out at rookie camp.
The Steelers have a number of other undersized receivers already on their roster, including 5-foot-8 starter Calvin Austin III and reserves Scotty Miller (5-foot-9) and Roman Wilson (5-foot-11), making for a tough lineup for a player like Dollison to crack.
Hurleman is the seventh player to be revealed as a tryout, joining Pitt outside linebacker Nate Matlack , Rhode Island RB/WR Tommy Smith , William & Mary QB/WR Hollis Mathis , New Hampshire quarterback Seth Morgan , Central Michigan center Dom Serapiglia and James Madison wide receiver Omarion Dollison .
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Invite Notre Dame Special Teams Demon to Rookie Camp
