Sleeper Steelers RB Looks to Turn Heads: ‘I'm Going to Make Them Right in Their Decision'

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Before throwing out the first pitch at the Reading Fightin Phils' game on Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers undrafted running back Max Hurleman declared the Steelers will not regret their decision in giving him an opportunity. The Steelers signed the Wyomissing, Pa. native and former Notre Dame running back after a rookie tryout in May.
'Thankful to a really good organization like the Pittsburgh Steelers,' Hurleman said, via the Reading Eagle. 'I can't thank them enough. Coach (Mike) Tomlin, Mr. Rooney, Mr. Khan, for just affording me this opportunity, and I'm going to make them right in their decision.'
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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.
Hurleman was one of three players to sign out of rookie camp, following fellow rookie tryout, tackle Gareth Warren, and veteran running back Trey Sermon.
'Probably the moment I walked in there and shook Coach Tomlin's hand, that was very surreal,' Hurleman said on the opportunity to be a Steeler. 'Just being in that building, and you have to separate the fan versus OK, now these are my coworkers. And so that's really the moment. Okay, this is it. It's pretty cool.'
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Max Hurleman at minicamp on June 5, 2025. — Ed Thompson/ Steelers Now
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.
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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 to play, 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.
Hurleman thinks his versatility is his best attribute.
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'Helped me a ton. Just being able to have one guy wear multiple hats definitely goes a long way in the league, there in the NFL,' Hurleman said of his versatility to play running back, wide receiver, cornerback and special teams. 'So I think being able to show that I could do all those different things really went a long way. I was afforded the opportunity to show that because some guys may have went down during the mini camp. And, you know, lucky for me, I was able to do that stuff, and I think it is very important.'
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Sleeper Steelers RB Looks to Turn Heads: 'I'm Going to Make Them Right in Their Decision'
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