Steelers A to Z: An undrafted free agent from Notre Dame, Max Hurleman plays RB, WR

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

RB/WR MAX HURLEMAN

Experience/age: Rookie, 23

Contract status: $840,666 cap hit if he makes the team in 2025, signed through 2027

The past: Sixteen months ago, Hurleman was a recent graduate of Colgate University, where in addition to earning a degree in economics he had played both running back and (as a senior) wide receiver. But in March 2024, Hurleman announced he would make a graduate transfer to Notre Dame, and after enrolling that summer, by the fall he was playing defensive back for a Fighting Irish team that advanced to the College Football Playoff national title game. Hurleman made most of his impact on special teams, serving as Notre Dame’s primary punt return man.

Undrafted and unsigned after the draft ended, Hurleman attended the Steelers’ rookie minicamp as a tryout. He was one of only two rookies (and three players overall) who were signed off the tryout.

MAX HURLEMAN ‼️

???? https://t.co/qGcPpWAAtJ | @ESPN#GoGate | #ThreeForTheGate pic.twitter.com/NfkZA5mRcH

— Colgate Football (@ColgateFB) October 14, 2023

2025 outlook: Hurleman said he spent his first week with the Steelers meeting with running backs, but that during the first week of on-field group OTAs, he was with the wide receivers.

At 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Hurleman mostly needs to make himself valuable on special teams to nose his way into contention for a roster spot. He will probably be added to the punt return lines during training camp, but don’t rule out the idea of special teams coordinator Danny Smith giving Hurleman a shot at covering kicks as well.

It’s possible Hurleman shows something at one of his positions on offense to carve out a niche, but as a rookie, that is probably a bonus. As a tryout, at this point making the practice squad would be a feather in the cap of Hurleman.