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Notre Dame

Former Notre Dame walk-on Max Hurleman signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•05/12/25•

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Notre Dame cornerback Max Hurleman. (Mike Miller, Blue & Gold)

After attending rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, former Notre Dame walk-on Max Hurleman signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hurleman, who played nickel back for the Irish but made most of his in-game contributions on special teams, will look to make the Steelers as a running back. He earned an opportunity to spend training camp in July and August in Pittsburgh, and he’ll try to break camp with the active roster or secure a spot on the practice squad.

During his lone season with Notre Dame after transferring from Colgate, Hurleman led the Irish in special teams snaps with 252. He played at least 40 snaps on four different units: kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and punt coverage.

Hurleman served as Notre Dame’s primary punt returner, winning the job before the Irish took on Louisville in late September. He returned 23 punts for 138 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per return.

The Wyomissing, Penn. native also made 13 tackles (11 solo) and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of Notre Dame’s win over Virginia in November.

Hurleman committed to Notre Dame in March 2024, and he enrolled in South Bend in June. Once he got there, his highly recruited scholarship teammates quickly realized he was there to make an impact.

“He has that drive inside of him and a passion that a guy like myself would have,” wide receiver Beaux Collins said. “You can’t do anything but respect it.”

By the time he left, Hurleman helped Notre Dame reach the College Football Playoff national championship game.

“Max has been an amazing addition to our program,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said. “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.”

Throughout his time at Colgate, Hurleman rushed 194 times for 814 yards and caught 79 passes for 834 yards. He worked out as a running back at Notre Dame’s Pro Day, running a 4.64 40-yard dash at just under 5-foot-11, 200 pounds.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith were in attendance at Hurleman’s Pro Day.

Hurleman is now the fourth Notre Dame player to sign an undrafted free agent contract with an NFL club, following Collins (Giants), defensive tackle Howard Cross III (Bengals) and nickel back Jordan Clark (Jets).

Wide receiver Kris Mitchell (Raiders), running back Devyn Ford (Raiders), defensive end RJ Oben (Chiefs) and kicker Mitch Jeter (Vikings) attended rookie minicamp on a tryout basis but remain unsigned.

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