ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) All-America defensive tackle Maurice Hurst has been given the OK by doctors to participate fully at Michigan’s pro day, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke Thursday night to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the clearance wasn’t announced.
Hurst, a potential first-round pick, was held out of drills at the combine three weeks ago after doctors red-flagged a heart condition.
NFL teams will have an opportunity to watch Hurst and other former Wolverines go through drills, run and lift weights on Friday.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Hurst had 59 tackles, including 13 for losses and 5 1/2 sacks last season. Hurst, who is from Westwood, Massachusetts, is regarded as one of the top prospects at defensive tackle available in the draft. His father played for the New England Patriots as a cornerback for seven seasons, starting 102 games.
At the combine earlier this month, Hurst told Utah defensive lineman Lowell Lotulelei he had been diagnosed with the same heart condition as Lotulelei’s older brother, Star.
”I just found out in the NFLPA meeting that we just had. He just said, `Star was your brother?’ And I said yeah. He’s like, `Man, I just got the same thing that he did,”’ Lowell Lotulelei told reporters. ”Obviously I didn’t go through it, so I don’t really know what he’s feeling like. But I kind of understand the disappointment just because my brother trained just like he trained and you’re expecting one thing and getting another. I feel for him. It sucks. But I think he’ll be fine just like my brother was.”
Five years ago, Star Lotulelei arrived at the combine as the expected first pick in that year’s draft. Things changed dramatically after doctors identified an ”abnormal” test on his heart. Lotulelei sought additional opinions and was eventually cleared to exercise. He was taken by Carolina with the 14th overall selection in the 2013 draft. And has missed just four games over five NFL seasons.
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Follow Larry Lage on Twitter at https://twitter.com/larrylage
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