Wyomissing grad Max Hurleman draws ‘special’ praise from Notre Dame coach
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It didn’t take Max Hurleman long to make an impact at Notre Dame.
He didn’t arrive in South Bend until early June after transferring from Colgate but early in his first season at the BCS level the Wyomissing graduate is drawing high praise from Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman.
“Max has been an amazing addition to our program,” Freeman said Monday as Notre Dame began prep for Saturday’s game against Stanford.
“He fits this place, but he’s also a really good football player that came in here with the right mindset and has earned everything he’s gotten,” Freeman said.
Hurleman was the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Year last season. He knew his only chance to make his way onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium would be by fielding punts and covering kicks, and he’s been a standout there.
He’s now Notre Dame’s primary punt return and earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the Irish’s most recent game, a 31-24 win over Louisville, it was announced Monday.
“He’s built a lot of trust in the coaching staff,” Freeman said of Hurleman. “He’s been our starting punt returner. Making big plays on kickoff. All those things matter for us to have success.”
Earning such a key role on the team is rare for a walk-on, especially at a successful program such as Notre Dame, which is 4-1 and ranked No. 11 in the nation.
Freeman gives Chad Bowen, Notre Dame’s assistant athletic director for player personnel, credit for finding walk-ons who can help Notre Dame.
“The walk-ons at Notre Dame have been so crucial for the success of Notre Dame football,” Freeman said. “It’s so important — the walk-on process. Our personnel department is in charge of finding those guys who can help our football team win and fit this place.
“Max Hurleman, Justin Fisher . . . are crucial in terms of helping us win games. Max has been great.”
Hurleman had numerous options for his final season of football when he entered the NCAA transfer portal in November. He limited himself by making academics a priority. And he put himself at a distinct disadvantage by remaining at Colgate, where he graduated in May with a degree in Economics.
Most players who go through the portal, as well as many incoming freshmen, enroll at their new school for the second semester. That way they’ll be on campus to train throughout the winter and be involved in those all-important spring practices and the spring game.
Hurleman missed all of that. He was steadfast in wanting to remain at Colgate and complete his degree there.
“I didn’t want to dilute what Colgate means to me academically,” he said. “My decision (to transfer) wasn’t solely athletic or solely academic, it was a mixture of both.”
Hurleman spent his time at Colgate as a running back and receiver, and of course on special teams where he led the league in punt returns in 2023. He played in 35 games for the Raiders over three-plus seasons (his freshman season was interrupted by Covid-19 and limited to two spring games).
He caught 28 passes last season, mostly as a slot receiver, and had 28 receptions as a junior, when he played mostly running back.
He displayed his versatility at Wyomissing where he captained the football, basketball, and lacrosse teams and was named the Reading Eagle male Athlete of the Year in 2019. He earned scholarship offers in lacrosse from Air Force and Lafayette, as well as several for football.
As a senior in 2019 with the Spartans Hurleman scored 20 touchdowns, ran for 1,238 yards, picked off two passes, made 70 tackles and starred on special teams. He earned All-State honors and led the Spartans to a 12-1 record, their first District 3 championship in five years, and to the PIAA Tournament.
Hurleman visited Notre Dame for three days in early March, observed spring practice and sat in on team meetings. His experience on the iconic campus was everything he imagined it to be.
“The history and everything that gold helmet means is really special, and I’ve come to realize that,” he told MikeDragoSports.com at the time. “It’s such a historic and special and meaningful place. Walking into the game day locker room, with the music from ‘Rudy’ playing . . . it sends chills down your spine. It was really a special moment.
“The academic buildings were second to none . . . the religious sites were breathtaking. Notre Dame checks all the boxes, in terms of (me) growing as a person, an athlete, an academic, and spiritually as well.”
Hurleman took advantage of Notre Dame’s bye week off to return home and escort his sister, Audrey, during Wyomissing’s Homecoming ceremonies Saturday during the Spartans’ win over Daniel Boone.
