Ted Hurst, who starred on the basketball court and football field in his prep days playing at Johnson High and went on to become one of the top receivers in the nation at Georgia State, was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft Friday night by Tampa Bay with the 84th selection.
The 6-foot-4, 207-pounder started his college career playing for Valdosta State before transferring to Georgia State for the last two seasons. He had a breakthrough year as a junior when he had 56 catches for 961 yards and nine touchdowns, and followed it up with a strong senior campaign ― with 71 receptions for 1,004 yards and six scores.
Hurst earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl, where he made a big-time impression on NFL scouts, who were already familiar with his game film. His one-handed grab during a Senior Bowl practice went viral as his stock rose after his impressive workouts.
#GeorgiaState WR Ted Hurst with a beautiful one-handed catch at the senior bowl. One of the prospects I highlighted to have a big week in Mobile. pic.twitter.com/A919PSDaNl
Former Johnson football coach Kenderrick Bonner, now the head coach at Rockdale County, saw Hurst on the Johnson basketball court one day and was immediately impressed by Hurst's physical gifts and natural athleticism. He convinced him to come out for the Atom Smasher football team as a sophomore and Hurst's journey to the NFL began.
As a senior, Hurst was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection at wide receiver after making 41 catches for 691 yards and six touchdowns, while also serving as a shutdown cornerback. He also earned All-Greater Savannah honors on the basketball court as he averaged 16.6 points and 8.0 rebounds for an Atom Smasher squad that reached the state quarterfinals.
He followed in the path of his older brother, Darrell Myers, to play at Valdosta State. Myers was a receiver for the Blazers squad that won the 2018 Division II National Championship and earned his degree in chemistry from the school.
Myers was with his brother at a draft party in Atlanta Friday night and said it was a special moment for the family.
"I'm so proud of him as a big brother," said Myers, who is a travelling chemist with a young family. "I'm glad this kid got what he deserved. He started out as a 'no star' and went the D2 route with no real scholarship offers and played those first two years at Valdosta, then went to Georgia State and look where he is today.
"He trusted the work he put and I'm just going to tell him to continue to be detailed, be sharp and be aware and to continue to work like he has."
Myers said that he and Hurst have a younger brother, Conner Johnson, who is a rising sophomore playing for Colquitt County. Myers said one of his proudest moments was watching how his younger brother Ted has become a mentor to their youngest sibling ― carrying on the family tradition.
Bonner was out to dinner with his family when Hurst was selected by the Buccaneers and was informed of the news by a reporter's call.
"I'm just so happy for Ted, he has an incredible work ethic that is unmatched, but he stays humble," Bonner said. "He has continued to improve every year. I remember just seeing how he moved on the basketball court and realizing he was special. It's the biggest accomplishment of my coaching career. Just to see how he has developed ― he is the measuring stick I use with my players when I talk about his work ethic and passion for the game."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Johnson alum Ted Hurst goes to Tampa Bay Bucs in third round of NFL Draft