Even super-confident Max Hurleman has been amazed by rapid rise at Notre Dame
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(This story was originally published Dec. 16, before the start of the CFS playoffs.)
It didn’t take Max Hurleman long to carve out a niche at Notre Dame.
He cleanly fielded a couple of punts early in the season against Purdue, flashed some open-field moves, and later made an open-field tackle on a kickoff. His teammates took notice; the kid who excelled in small college football was capable of keeping up with the big boys.
Late in the win over Purdue Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman walked up to Hurleman and said: “You keep doing that, you’ll be my returner.”
And he has.
The Wyomissing grad has had a lock on punt return duties for the nationally ranked Fighting Irish ever since. He’s played more special teams downs than anyone on the team, covering kickoffs and punts and as part of the kickoff return unit.
That was his goal when he threw caution to the wind earlier this year and went for it after playing four seasons at Colgate, an FCS school which plays in the Patriot League. Hurleman had one year of eligibility left and decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal and swing for the fences.
That’s part of his makeup: The All-State running back and three-sport star at Wyomissing has never lacked for self-confidence.
His mentality has always been go big or go home. Since arriving in South Bend he has only returned home once, to escort his sister Audrey during Homecoming ceremonies at Bob Wolfrum Field.
Max Hurleman’s rapid ascent at Notre Dame — a preseason Top 10 pick that earned a home opener vs. Indiana Friday night in the BCS playoffs – has been Rudy-esque.
Even he’s been somewhat amazed by it.
“I thought it would take more time,” he said. “Right from the beginning of camp I saw that there was a direct path for me, and that’s what happened — and I was surprised by that. When I made the decision to come here I wasn’t sure how that was going to shake out.”
Make no mistake, this is no Rudy story. The Rudy Ruettiger of movie fame was more dreamer than football player. He was all of 5-6 and had no right to be on a football field with All-Americans. He was essentially a tackling dummy who got on the field for all of three plays.
Hurleman ranks as one of the top players in Wyomissing history, a guy who started 23 games at Colgate and was named Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Year last season.
He had football credentials, just not those of the four- and five-star recruits who would become his admiring teammates.
Turns out that didn’t matter. Max Hurleman is an all-around athlete with a five-star mentality and he showed that upon his arrival on campus in early June. He caught the attention of the coaching staff during summer strength and conditioning workouts when he out-performed many of his teammates.
“I was right there at the top of the pack,” Hurleman said. “I was just being myself and doing what I always do: Being a hard worker and showing up and just being myself. I quickly was able to show that I could.
“Once we got into (training) camp and the football started happening, I showed that I can consume information quickly and that I could be trusted on the field. I was doing as much as I could to make my presence felt and I quickly climbed the ladder.”
After he was named Special Teams Player of the Game following a 31-24 win over Louisville, Freeman went out of his way to highlight his impact.
“Max has been an amazing addition to our program,” Freeman said. “He fits this place. He’s a really good football player that came in here with the right mindset and has earned everything he’s gotten. He’s built a lot of trust in the coaching staff.”
Walk-ons rarely earn a key role in Power-5 programs, especially fifth-year seniors who show up in June after missing a full offseason of team workouts. For them to be spotlighted during a press conference by the head coach is part of what makes Hurleman’s story so amazing.
“(That) meant everything (to me), honestly,” Hurleman said of hearing his coach’s remarks. “It’s really cool to see your hard work and determination get recognized, especially by your head coach.”
His teammates, many of whom had their pick of major college programs, have been impressed with what Hurleman has accomplished in such a short time.
“It’s amazing to see a guy like him come in and just be the light to the team,” wide receiver Beaux Collins told the South Bend Tribune. “Seeing a guy like him come from a lower-tier school and be able to help us out is eye-opening. I appreciate guys like that, guys that just have a love for the game.”
“The players really respect him because he shows up every day to work,” Notre Dame special teams coordinator Marty Biagi told Irish Sports Daily. “He has an attention to detail, he’s very disciplined, and super-trustworthy.”
Hurleman’s story has attracted national notice. He was featured in a story in the New York Times, again something he never imagined when he made his bold move to the upper tier of college football.
“I never really expected to see my name in the New York Times,” he admitted. “It’s not the easiest thing to go from a school where your role is pretty much being the guy to now being a role player, but I knew that was going to be the case. From the jump I didn’t just want to be a part of something, I wanted to be contributing, and I’m very fortunate to be in the spot that I’m in.”
Earlier this month Hurleman was named Notre Dame’s “Walk-On of the Year” at the Echoes Award banquet.
“For me it’s just really awesome to compete at the highest level and be a part of something like this,” he told MikeDragoSports.com. “The attention’s been great but it’s just really fun to be part of this team. It’s an awesome culture and experience that I didn’t think I would have 12 months ago.
“I’m super-thankful that I’ve been given this opportunity to play for such an amazing university and have the opportunity to play for a national championship. It’s been what I wanted.”
