The Wolverine

March 2020 Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1212135

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 59 of 99

2020 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 60 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2020 BY EJ HOLLAND Matt Hibner is an enigma in Michi- gan's 2020 recruiting class. The three-star tight end prospect from Burke (Va.) Lake Braddock is one of the lower-rated signees of the cycle, but his senior film reveals the potential to be a true gem. Hibner didn't get a lot of eyes on him over the last year, and he tries to stay away from media attention. Recruiting stars, rankings and stories just don't matter to him. "I'm really just here to do my work," Hibner said. "I don't want anything extra. I'm here what I'm here for. I'm going to work and stay focused." Hibner was his usual quiet self while practicing with Team USA at the International Bowl in December. However, he drew rave reviews from the coaching staff and scored a pair of touchdowns in a blowout win over Team Panama. "It's really cool," Hibner said. "Once the opportunity came, I was all about it. It's cool to represent Team USA and play on a big stage like this. I just came out here to work and get better." Hibner committed to Michigan over the summer and signed with the Wolverines during the early period in December. He felt at home in Ann Arbor and is ready to be a difference maker for U-M. Once he enrolls this summer, he is coming to — as he likes to say — work. "Coach [Sherrone] Moore is a big guy on, 'Come in and we'll see,'" Hibner said. "He's not leading me in the wrong direction or anything, which I appreciate. We'll just see how my body grows. I've been develop- ing weight and maintaining speed. Adding more weight would be ideal. "That's first and foremost. I think I can hold the weight well. Then work- ing on technique and getting down the offense, so I can play a role as soon as I can." The 6-4, 230-pounder is part of a top- 15 class nationally, and he's excited about joining the Michigan program. "I think the future is looking really bright," Hibner said. "With the guys coming in, I think we have a lot of potential. I think we can surprise a lot of people." ❑ Underrated, No-Nonsense Matt Hibner Could Develop Into A Gem Hibner, despite his three-star ranking from Rivals.com, shined at the International Bowl in December, when he hauled in a pair of touchdown passes. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND 2020 Projection Hibner will compete for playing time as a freshman. U-M returns fifth-year senior Nick Eubanks, sophomore Erick All and redshirt sophomore Luke Schoon- maker, but lost starter Sean McKeon to graduation. Hibner has a chance to play as a backup and could even serve as a second tight end when U-M goes to heavier packages. MATT HIBNER TIGHT END 6-4 • 230 LAKE BRADDOCK H.S. BURKE, VA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 31 15 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 133 7 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 20* 22 * Ranked as a tight end-Y STATISTICS Year Rec. Yards TD 2019 42 940 12 HONORS • Played for the U.S. National Team in the 2020 International Bowl and scored two touchdowns. • Honored as first-team All-Patriot District at tight end as a senior, after he earned second-team honors on defense as a junior. • Tabbed as first-team All-Occoquan Region at tight end and defensive end as a senior. RECRUITMENT • Committed on June 9, 2019. • Also had offers from Arizona State and Virginia Tech, among others. • Recruited by tight ends coach Sher- rone Moore. DID YOU KNOW? • Also played outside linebacker/ defensive end, and notched 96 tack- les, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, eight passes broken up and two intercep- tions as a senior. • Helped his team to a 10-3 record and a 6C regional title as a senior. • Was his team's punter, and earned second-team All-Patriot District hon- ors at the position in 2019. • Is an Eagle Scout. THEY SAID IT • Lake Braddock head coach Mike Doughtery: "As far as a pass catcher, he's a great route runner. He's a bas- ketball player so he really knows how to use his body to go up and create space. As a blocker, he's extremely physical. He uses his hips and feet re- ally well. He does a nice job turning and sealing blocks. He uses leverage well. He's got a high IQ as well. He's a super athletic kid. He really doesn't have much of a weakness."

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - March 2020 Issue