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Matt Hennessy

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Matt Hennessy
refer to caption
Hennessy in 2020
No. 61 – Atlanta Falcons
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1997-11-17) November 17, 1997 (age 27)
Nyack, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:315 lb (143 kg)
Career information
High school:Don Bosco Prep
(Ramsey, New Jersey)
College:Temple (2016–2019)
NFL draft:2020 / round: 3 / pick: 78
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Games played:41
Games started:22
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Matthew Connor Hennessy (born November 17, 1997) is an American professional football center for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple.

Early life

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Hennessy was born in Nyack, New York and grew up in Bardonia, New York.[1] He attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey and was a starter at offensive tackle as a junior and senior for the Ironmen.[2] A 3-star offensive tackle recruit according to Rivals.com, Hennessy committed to play college football at Temple over offers from Air Force, Army, Florida Atlantic, Old Dominion, and Yale, among others.[3][4]

College career

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Hennessy played in three games with one start at left guard as a true freshman before redshirting the rest of the season. He became the Owls' starting center going into his redshirt freshman year, starting all but one game that he missed due to injury.[5] Hennessy was awarded a single-digit jersey (number three) as one of the nine toughest players on the team going into his redshirt sophomore year, which he wore in practice as offensive line are not eligible to wear single digit numbers in-game. He started eleven games, missing two due to injury.[6][7] Hennessy started 12 games at center for the Owls as a redshirt junior and was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference, second-team All-America by USA Today and to the third-team by the Associated Press and was named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy.[8][9] Following the end of the season, Hennessy announced that he would forgo his final season of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL draft.[10] Having graduated in December of his redshirt junior year, Hennessy was invited to and played in the 2020 Senior Bowl.[11]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+7⁄8 in
(1.93 m) 		307 lb
(139 kg) 		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 5.18 s 1.80 s 3.03 s 4.60 s 7.45 s 30.0 in
(0.76 m)		 9 ft 2 in
(2.79 m)		 23 reps
All values from NFL Combine[12][13]
Hennessy and Cordarrelle Patterson in 2021

Atlanta Falcons (first stint)

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Hennessy was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 78th overall selection.[14]

After playing behind Alex Mack as a rookie, Hennessy was named the Falcons starting center in 2021 and started every game. He started Week 9 at left guard before suffering a knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2022.[15] He was activated on December 31 and he started the final two games of the season at left guard.[16]

In 2023, Hennessy suffered a knee injury in training camp and was placed on injured reserve on August 16, 2023.[17]

Philadelphia Eagles

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On March 13, 2024, Hennessy signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[18] He was released on August 27.[19]

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

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On September 24, 2024 with starting center Drew Dalman going to injured reserve, the Falcons signed Hennessy to their practice squad.[20] He was promoted to the active roster on October 15.[21] He was waived on November 14, and re-signed to the practice squad.[22]

Personal life

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Hennessy's older brother, Thomas Hennessy, is the long snapper for the New York Jets.[23] Matt and his brother grew up New York Giants fans.[24]

References

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  1. ^ Vender, Matt (April 11, 2017). "Wiesehan sees opportunity on Owls' offensive line". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  2. ^ Hanslin, Tom (November 8, 2017). "Temple's Hennessy, Nutile value North Jersey bond at college level". WHIPRadioTU.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  3. ^ Hunt, Todderick (December 17, 2015). "2-star Don Bosco offensive lineman Matt Hennessy commits to Temple". NJ.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  4. ^ "Matt Hennessy, 2016 Offensive Tackle - Rivals.com". N.rivals.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  5. ^ Narducci, Marc (March 23, 2018). "Temple football center Matt Hennessy ready to expand on a strong first season". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  6. ^ Pastor, Shawn (August 31, 2018). "Temple's single-digit selection process more art than science". 247Sports.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  7. ^ Narducci, Marc (August 22, 2018). "Matt Hennessy at the center of a deeper group: Temple offensive line preview". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  8. ^ Narducci, Marc (December 12, 2019). "Temple's Matt Hennessy reflects on being a Rimington Trophy finalist: 'It's hard to fathom'". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  9. ^ Wallen, Ryan (December 27, 2019). "Temple's Matt Hennessy declares for NFL Draft". 247Sports.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  10. ^ Williams, Charean (December 27, 2019). "Temple center Matt Hennessy declares for draft". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  11. ^ Perez, Bryan (January 22, 2020). "Bears gather intel on Temple center Matt Hennessy at 2020 Senior Bowl". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  12. ^ "Matt Hennessy Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  13. ^ "2020 Draft Scout Matt Hennessy, Temple NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  14. ^ Zedalis, Joe (April 24, 2020). "Don Bosco Prep grad Matt Hennessy picked by Falcons in 3rd round of NFL Draft". NJ.com. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  15. ^ Bair, Scott (November 8, 2022). "Falcons place offensive lineman on IR, sign safety off practice squad among other roster moves". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  16. ^ Bair, Scott (December 31, 2022). "Falcons make flurry of roster moves heading into Week 17 contest vs. Cardinals". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  17. ^ Bair, Scott (August 16, 2023). "Falcons place OL Matt Hennessy on injured reserve". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  18. ^ "Eagles agree to terms with Matt Hennessy on a 1-year contract". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. March 13, 2024.
  19. ^ "Get your first look at the Eagles' initial 53-man roster". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. August 27, 2024.
  20. ^ Waack, Terrin (September 24, 2024). "Drew Dalman placed on IR; Falcons sign former starter off practice squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  21. ^ Waack, Terrin (October 15, 2024). "Falcons place Micah Abernathy on IR, sign Matt Hennessy to roster". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  22. ^ Waack, Terrin. "Falcons release OL Matt Hennessy from 53-man roster". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  23. ^ Greenwalt, Tyler (January 22, 2020). "Temple C Matt Hennessy would love to play with brother in New York". Jets Wire. USA Today. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  24. ^ "Matt Hennessy grew up rooting for Giants, who are perfect NFL draft fit". April 17, 2020.
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