Former Notre Dame walk-on just stole the show in an NFL preseason debut

Former Notre Dame football walk-on Max Hurleman is having a Cinderella-type run as he tries to make the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.

Hurleman, who joined the Fighting Irish in 2024 as a grad transfer from Colgate, mainly as a special teams ace, is looking to do the same as an UDFA with Pittsburgh. Since signing with the Steelers, he's been showing the same grit and determination that had some Notre Dame fans comparing him to a modern-day Rudy Ruettiger, especially when it comes to him being a fan favorite.

Notre Dame football alum Max Hurleman scores a touchdown and nails a backflip in Steelers debut

The difference, of course, is that Hurleman didn't play in just one game; instead, he was indeed an essential part of the punt return unit for a team that went to the National Title Game.

On Saturday, the former Notre Dame football player made his first appearance in an NFL preseason game. Not only did he play so well that he got Steelers' fans' attention with his 2 catchers for 29 yards and a touchdown, but he even impressed people with his TD celebration, a rather emphatic backflip.

In that touchdown drive, Hurleman also caught a 26-yard pass where he was the recipient of a "welcome to the NFL" type hit. He managed to shake it off and still score what ended up being quite important in the Steelers' preseason opening victory.

"Definitely felt that one a little bit,” the former Notre Dame football player said after the game about the big hit. “Skylar did a great job of trying to protect me and to throw me back a little bit. I also didn’t do myself the biggest favor there. I was a little tight on my landmark, but Skylar definitely helped me out, threw a great ball and I was fortunate to come down with it. The first big hit of a game, it’s always (like), ‘Oh, OK, here we go. We’re playing ball.’ It hurts in the moment, but you kind of lick your lips and keep going."