Hayden Hurst finds common ground with TEs coach James Casey

Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe vast majority of NFL coaches have experienced the grind of playing football. Not many understand the path that Hayden Hurst took.

Cincinnati Bengals tight ends coach James Casey does.

Hurst and Casey coincidentally were both drafted by the MLB as pitchers before enrolling in college and becoming tight ends for their respective programs. Casey turned an insanely productive two years at Rice University into a seven-year career in the NFL. Hurst is already four years and three teams into his NFL journey after his three years at South Carolina netted him a first-round contract.

Despite an age gap of nine years, there’s much common…