Arkansas Football Countdown: 69 Days - David Hurd

David Hurd walked on at Arkansas in 2009 out of high school in West Monre, Louisiana, and now is listed as the starting left tackle on the post-spring depth chart, and that is awesome.

As a sophomore, Hurd saw the field late in the 2011 season during blowout wins against Tennessee and Mississippi State, but earned a scholarship and became a starter in 2012. Last summer, Hurd explained what it was like to find out he was getting a scholarship to Robbie Neiswanger

Arkansas offensive lineman David Hurd didn’t know what to expect when he was summoned into John L. Smith’s office this summer.

The walk-on didn’t exactly know what happened, either, after Smith put a piece of paper in front of him, told him to sign it, then offered his congratulations.

It wasn’t until he called teammate Tyler Deacon — a former walk-on who earned a scholarship before the 2011 season — that Hurd finally received some clarity.

“I asked him what the scholarship papers looked like,” Hurd said. “He said it’s just a piece of paper that says financial aid at the top. I said, ‘Oh my God I think I just signed it.’ … I think I’m on scholarship now.’”

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“This is everything,” Hurd said earlier this week. “It’s everything I hoped it could be and everything I dreamed of. I always wanted to play and start here.

“Now I’m getting the opportunity and it’s great.”

Hurd saw limited action during spring practice this year after a minor knee injury, and did not play in the spring game, but Bret Bielema said he could've played in the game if necessary. He is expected to be ready to go this fall.