Rhule recruited the 6-foot-5, 226-pound receiver as a transfer from the University of Tennessee. Hurd played running back for the Volunteers and decided a position change was best for the longevity of his football career. The two sat down, and Rhule laid out his vision for Hurd at Baylor. Hurd committed to the Bears three days later. The coach called it a "cut and dry" transfer process.

From there, transfer rules mandated that Hurd sit out the 2017 season. The silver lining was that Hurd had a year to learn his new position. He gave Baylor's starting defense fits in practice as a member of the scout team offense.

"He had elusiveness," Rhule said of Hurd's traits as a running back that eased his transition to receiver. "He had change of direction. He had physicality. … He looked like a receiver, and he had elite tape."

Hurd's lone season at Baylor was a productive one. He caught 69 passes for 946 yards and four touchdowns in 2018 and added 48 carries for 209 yards and three scores on the ground. Rhul's favorite story about Hurd came in Baylor's season finale against Texas Tech when the Bears were desperate for a sixth win in order to become bowl eligible. Hurd wound up tearing his meniscus in the first quarter after catching a quick slant.

Rhule went over to him on the sideline to share his sympathies and thank him for a great season. But Hurd was adamant that he could play through the injury and finish the game. He did so and caught three passes for 43 yards as Baylor went on to beat the Red Raiders. That, for Ruhl, was the defining moment of Hurd's character.

"He was selfless," Rhule said. "He was all about the team even though he had an NFL future hanging in the balance. He chose to go on the field and play. To me, that sums up who he is."

Hurd had surgery shortly thereafter and spent the entire pre-draft process rehabbing his knee. He still attended the Senior Bowl and was placed on the 49ers South Team roster. That's where San Francisco got its first extended look at Hurd from a personal standpoint. The tape told them everything else the team needed to know about his ability as a receiver.