Demontre Hurst Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Aug 29, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Demontre Hurst (30) makes and interception in front of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

We had so much fun doing our Countdown to Kickoff series last season that we decided to do it again.  In case you’re new to the series, we’ll do a roster preview as we count down the days until the Chicago Bears September 7th season opener against the Buffalo Bills.

Only 30 days left until the season opener, and that brings us to number thirty on our countdown: cornerback Demontre Hurst.  Standing 5-10 and weighing in at 183 pounds, Hurst is not exactly the physical prototype that Phil Emery has shown himself to covet since taking over as the Chicago Bears general manager two offseasons ago, but that doesn’t mean he can’t make the roster.  He is two inches taller and only two pounds lighter than Tim Jennings, to whom the Bears recently gave a contract extension, so if he plays with enough physicality his lack of ideal dimensions could be overlooked.  This is Hurst’s second stint with the Bears, so obviously the coaching staff saw something in him that they liked last preseason.

A three-year starter at Oklahoma, Hurst recorded 178 tackles, 10 for loss, 2 sacks, 33 deflected passes, 2 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries during his collegiate career.  The former Sooner was also voted second-team All-Big 12 as a senior.

I don’t think the odds of Hurst making the final roster are strong by any means.  His slight frame means that he would likely be limited to the slot, and I don’t think he can beat out more proven commodities like Kelvin Hayden and Isaiah Frey.

Be on the lookout for our Countdown to Kickoff series as we continue to work our way to the season opener on September 7th. We’re 30 days from kickoff.  Are you ready???