Michigan DT Maurice Hurst, potential first-round pick, cleared to play after heart condition diagnosis

After some nervous weeks, Maurice Hurst had to be happy to hear he has been cleared to play football again.

Hurst, a talented defensive tackle from Michigan who was a projected first-round pick by many, was diagnosed with a heart condition at the combine. He was not allowed to work out in Indianapolis. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter said after meeting with cardiologists at the University of Michigan and Harvard, Hurst has been cleared to resume his football career. He’ll work out at Michigan’s pro day on Friday.

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Hurst’s story is similar to that of Star Lotulelei, who was a coveted prospect out of Utah in 2013. An abnormal test on Lotulelei’s heart at the combine brought up questions about his draft stock and his football future in general, but he was cleared, drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round and has had a fine career. This offseason he signed a five-year, $50 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Utah defensive lineman Lowell Lotulelei, Star’s younger brother, said Hurst was diagnosed with the same condition as his brother according to the Associated Press. Hurst had an irregular electrocardiogram (EKG) at the combine and told NFL Network he also had one at Michigan, via the Detroit News.

While it had to be a frightening ordeal in many ways for Hurst, he saw experts and seems to be fine. If he works out well at Michigan’s pro day he will still be a highly coveted interior defensive line prospect and, hopefully for him, he goes on to have the same type of career Lotulelei has had.

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Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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