Hennessy Poised to Take Next Step

Strong. Grounded. Balanced. Focused.

Those are the traits that you learn from hot yoga. Those same traits have helped Matt Hennessy get ready for a career as a professional football player.

Who knows where he would be without it.

Hennessy came to Temple in 2016 and redshirted his first season, where although he showed promise and played in three games with one start. His head coach that year was Matt Rhule, who saw the potential in Hennessy as a center while he held down the tackle position at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J.

The following season, Rhule moved on to Baylor and Hennessy took over as the starting center. A new head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and strength and conditioning coach didn't slow down the redshirt freshman. In fact, it helped build his resume as a player who could easily adjust. It also started a foundation for Hennessy showing him there are many ways to be successful, and it strengthened the bond with his teammates who looked to the steady and dependable Hennessy for guidance with the transition.

One of the additional benefits of the new regime was that head coach Geoff Collins and offensive line coach Chris Wiesehan believed in position flexibility. Wiesehan educated his linemen to know not just what the lineman next to you was doing but, at least for Hennessy, what the scheme was for all 11 offensive players.

"Coach Wiesehan wanted us to know where the added protection was coming from," said Hennessy. "At least for me, it helped knowing where the running back was going to be."

Throughout the spring of 2018, each lineman played all five line positions, so Hennessy was exposed to positions other than center, which might help him at the next level.

Another significant development in 2018 was that Hennessy had been voted as a Temple TUFF, single-digit player. A school tradition awards single-digit jerseys to the team's toughest players as voted upon by them team. Although Hennessy earned the honor, the NCAA does not allow offensive linemen to wear numbers other than 50-79 in a game. Nevertheless, Hennessy's hard-work and leadership had been recognized by his teammates and coaches.

By 2019, Hennessy and Temple were once again going through a coaching change introducing yet another head coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line, and strength and conditioning coach. The redshirt-junior never wavered and his leadership – along with the help of some seniors – was often recognized by new head coach Rod Carey as a major reason for an easy transition during an 8-5 season.

Once the 2019 season ended, Hennessy had been a three-year starter (35 starts in the past three seasons), one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy (given to the best center in college football), an All-American, and earned his bachelor's degree in finance. Immediately following the team's Military Bowl game, he announced that he was going to forego his final season of eligibility and prepare for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Two days after the game he flew out to Irvine, California, to begin training at the Sports Science Lab where many of Rep1 clients train. Hennessy is represented by Rep1's Chase Callahan who is the agent for many of the NFL's rising stars.

"I've been focusing a lot on offensive line technique and physically improving strength, speed and size'" said Hennessy of his three weeks at Sports Science Lab. "We worked in the gym and on the field, as well as the stuff in the film room, and preparing for the interviews for the pre-draft process."

Hennessy arrived in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl on Sunday night.

"I have been rolling with meetings [with NFL teams]," said Hennessy on what activities he took part in other than football practice.

He's had many questions thrown his way and has had an easy time answering those related to football. Some others have been stranger to answer.

NFL personnel person: "If you were to get a tattoo, what would it be?"

Hennessy: "I wouldn't get a tattoo."

NFL personnel person: "Yeah, but if you did, what would it be?"

Hennessy: "I wouldn't get a tattoo."

Some of the people asking questions of Hennessy were amused when they learned that he participates in hot yoga. Hennessy is a hulking 6-foot, 4-inch, 305-pound man, so picturing him in a hot yoga studio filled almost entirely with people less than half his size is amusing to many. The irony of many of Hennessy's exchanges during his media sessions is that the people who are interested in him as a football player have wondered if he's too small.

Hennessy has been compared to Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce. Both are considered undersized but make up for that with above average strength, speed and intelligence. The size measurement hurt Kelce, who was just a sixth round pick in 2011. However, his selection will go down as one of the best in Eagles' history as he has been selected as a three-time first-team all-pro and was an integral part in the franchise's only Super Bowl victory in 2018.

Once practices began on Tuesday, it was obvious that people were taking notice of Hennessy. Like many of the players outside of the Power 5 conferences, it's not until they come to these senior showcases that their talent is evaluated properly.

"He's really good," said Hank Fraley, the Detroit Lions offensive line coach who coached the North squad. "Very intelligent and moves really well."

At Temple, Hennessy had the benefit of practicing against a number of defensive linemen who made the jump to the NFL.

Hennessy has taken reps against Arizona's Haason Reddick and Michael Dogbe, Houston's Jacob Martin, Cincinnati's Sharif Finch, and San Francisco's Jullian Taylor, during his time at Temple. He also had the fortune – or misfortune – of matching up against Houston's Ed Oliver twice, before Oliver became a first round pick for Buffalo last year.

"He's the best player I recall going against," said Hennessy.

Hennessy's North squad won the game 34-17 and the NFL Network commentators credited his third quarter block with springing Baylor's JaMycal Hasty for a touchdown.

Some of the reaction to Hennessy:
Mike Greger, Heavy.com: The starting center for Temple missed a few games due to an undisclosed injury in 2019 but nothing teams should be worried about. Hennessy, a second-team All-American, was one of the best pass-blockers in the country and one of the vocal leaders for the Owls. He is projected to go in the third round and would be a great insurance policy should Jason Kelce retire.

John Harris, TexansTV: "Temple center Matt Hennessy isn't the biggest guy on the offensive line but he's certainly represents what Temple football is all about - tough and nasty. He held his own, anchoring against some power/bull rushes up the field throughout the day.

NBC Chicago: "One player who stood out in one-on-one drills was Temple center/guard Matt Hennessy. He was arguably the best offensive lineman on the field and consistently stonewalled opposing defensive lineman regardless of their rush move (power, speed or a combination of both). Chicago took notice. Hennessy was the target of several teams who used their post-practice on-field time to gather more intel; the Bears were one of them."
Here's what The Draft Network's scouting report of Hennessy lists as his positive traits: Possesses good size and length at the position. Football intelligence jumps off the tape each game. One of the most consistent pass blockers in the country. Excellent coordination with his hands, eyes, and feet. Consistently plays with good balance. Projects well to a zone-blocking scheme. Effective at walling off second-level defenders and reaching three techniques.

Jonah Tuls, The Draft Network, "Hennessy, who weighed in at over 300 pounds, got off to a great start at the Senior Bowl. He looked much stronger and more physically imposing than I expected, and it showed on the practice field. He got after defensive tackles all week long in the one-on-one pass protection drills. Hennessy's bread and butter is that he's built low to the ground with natural leverage, combining that with his excellent lateral agility to mirror athletic pass rushers. He was dominant in that regard, but what surprised me most was his ability to fight power with power in the one-on-one reps. The biggest concern I had on his tape was his play strength, but there were times in practice where he overwhelmed defenders with his punch and finish. I still believe Hennessy's size and traits are best equipped for a zone-blocking scheme, but he proved this week that he could appeal to any team looking for an upgrade at center."

Temple University Athletics

Hennessy Poised to Take Next Step

Players Mentioned

Michael Dogbe

Sharif Finch

Matt Hennessy

Jacob Martin

Haason Reddick

Jullian Taylor

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