James Hurst

A five-star tackle recruit out of high school, Hurst spurned offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame and Alabama (where his father, Tim, played football) to attend North Carolina. He quickly established himself as the starting left tackle where he started all but three games in his four years in Chapel Hill, setting a new school record with 49 career starts. Hurst lacks ideal flexibility, has a narrow base and needs to play with controlled footwork and fundamentals, but he works through the whistle with toughness and effort ? doesn?t always look pretty, but he gets results. He needs to check out medically after suffering a broken left leg in the bowl game. Hurst has a very average size and skill-set combo, but he?ll do just enough to get it done. He can hold up at tackle, but will also get looks in the NFL at guard, similar to Mitchell Schwartz.

strengths

Tall with a barrel chest and silo body frame. Good push in the run game with strong hands and limbs to jolt at the point of attack, extending well. Stays light on his feet when pulling with heady awareness to pick up defenders in motion. Nice job getting to the second level to take out linebackers and defensive backs. Patient in space to mirror and play steady laterally. Good finishing toughness in the run game and looks to bury his man. Good work ethic and doesn?t cheat himself, getting the most out of his ability. School-record for career starts (49), playing every snap at left tackle.

weaknesses

Narrow base with average-at-best arm length. Too much forward lean and will overset and overextend himself, struggling to recover. Needs to play with his shoulders over his feet. Not the most natural re-setting after his initial kickslide, getting himself tied up with choppy footwork and tight joints. Plays too much on his heels and is too easily bullied, struggling to play with a consistent base to absorb contact. Needs to improve his hand placement and do a better job keeping rushers from his body. Doesn?t explode off the snap and is too reactionary in pass protection with suspect reflexes. Needs to do a better job with angles to wall off run lanes. Suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left fibula in final collegiate game and will miss most, if not all, of the pre-draft process. All of his football experience is at left tackle and has never played inside at guard.

SuperPrep All-America

Ranked the No. 10 overall player in the country and the No. 2 offensive tackle by Rivals.com

Considered the No. 3 offensive tackle in the nation by Scout.com and by recruiting analyst Tom Lemming

Member of the ESPN150

Ranked the No. 24 player in the country regardless of position by Scout.com

Was the overall MVP at the U.S. Army Junior National Combine

Competed in the Under Armour All-American Game and was named the game's most outstanding offensive lineman by Scout.com

Rated Indiana's No. 1 player by Rivals.com

Considered the No. 6 overall prospect in the Midwest by SuperPrep

Younger brother of Nelson Hurst, a tight end for the Tar Heels

Graded out at 98 percent as a senior at Plainfield High School

Coached by Brian Woodard

Earned first-team all-conference, all-area and all-state honors as a junior and senior

Earned area player of the year honors as a senior

Also saw some playing time on the defensive line

Played all four years on varsity

Helped team advance to the third round of the state playoffs all four seasons.

Son of Tim and Susan Hurst

Born Dec. 17, 1991

His father, Tim, played football at Alabama

Would choose to play for the Indianapolis Colts if he could pick any team in the NFL

People say he looks like former UNC offensive tackle and current Atlanta Falcon lineman Garrett Reynolds

Favorite possession is his Xbox

Favorite off-day activity is Call of Duty video game

Would most like to guest star on "Lost"

His brother, Nelson, has had the biggest impact on his life

Exercise and sport science major.