From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on SMU TE Matthew Hibner.
No. 88 Matthew Hibner/TE SMU 6042/251 (Sixth-year Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Matthew Hibner 6042/251 9 3/8″ 32 3/8″ 77 5/8″
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
4.57 1.61 4.37 7.35
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
9’8″ 37″ 28
The Good
– Prototypical frame for both inline and move/flex alignments
– Massive catch radius due to longer arm length and wingspan
– Exceptional straight-line speed for his weight
– Explosive short-area burst that assists him in separating from linebackers in coverage
– Good upper-body strength that is capable of sustaining blocks
– Understands how to effectively use the “stemming” technique
– Fluid athlete that is capable of running the entire route tree
– Good body control and focus to adjust to off-target throws
– Reliable hands in traffic
– Seamlessly transitions into a runner after the catch
– Highly willing and combative blocker
– Comfortable in move-block situations
The Bad
– Less suited for option-style routes than vertical concepts
– Struggles with rapid deceleration and lateral re-acceleration
– Inconsistent pad level when blocking in-line
– Lacks explosiveness coming out of his stance and engaging contact
– Lacks top-tier lateral agility and change-of-direction
– Prone to rounding off his breaks at the top of his routes
– Needs further refinement in setting up defenders
– Doesn’t have a natural hip sink in-line, which can negate his lower body power
Stats
– 2025 stats: 31 catches, 436 yards, 14.1 yards per reception, 4 touchdowns, 1 drop, 13 games played
– Career stats: 57 catches, 819 yards, 14.4 yards per reception, 8 touchdowns, 1 drop, 55 games played
– SMU Career stats: 55 catches, 804 yards, 14.6 yards per reception, 8 touchdowns, 1 drop, 27 games played
– Michigan Career stats: 2 catches, 15 yards, 7.5 yards per reception, 28 games played
– 1.19 yards per route run (2025)
– 8.7 adjusted depth of target
– 5.2 yards after catch per reception
Injury History
– Listed as questionable due to an undisclosed injury for the matchup against Miami, but played through it (2025)
Background
– Born March 9th, 2002 (24 years old)
– Spent first four seasons with Michigan before transferring to SMU as a graduate student
– Three-star prospect out of Lake Braddock Secondary School after helping lead his team to a 6C Regional Championship
– Earned first-team All-Occoquan Region and first-team All-Patriot District as both a tight end and defensive end
– Earned second-team All-Patriot District as a punter
– Named to the All-Atlantic Region Team for PrepStar Magazine
– Selected to play for the U.S. National Team in the International Bowl
– Posted nearly 1000 yards and 12 touchdowns while recording nearly 100 tackles and 10 sacks as a defensive end (2019)
– Graduated with a 4.3 GPA in high school after never receiving a “B” grade
– Played JV basketball early in high school before focusing on football
– Put on nearly 40 pounds of muscle prior to his senior season
– All-ACC Honorable Mention (2025)
– Named a Campbell Trophy Semifinalist for his academic and football performance, along with leadership (2025)
– All-ACC Academic Team (2024)
– Three-time Academic All-Big Ten (2021-2023)
– Earned Most Improved Player on Special Teams during time at Michigan (2022)
– To put on weight, he would carry around a tub of meat, eggs, and lettuce
– Achieved the ranking of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America
– Holds the record for longest reception in the Trust and Will Holiday Bowl (80 yards)
Tape Breakdown
After spending his first four seasons at Michigan primarily on special teams, he finally showcased his true potential as a vertical threat upon transferring to SMU. Hibner is a surprisingly explosive athlete with blazing linear speed for his size, and with the ball in his hands, he’s capable of simply running away from defensive backs in the open field.
Leveraging that straight-line speed, he consistently threatens the deep third of the field on seam routes, vertical concepts, and wheel routes. Safeties are forced to respect his vertical release, which, in turn, creates greater separation for him on underneath routes.
With his primary receiving opportunities only coming over his last couple of years at SMU, Hibner’s route tree is still developing, but it’s further along than expected. In the underneath game, he’s explosive thanks to his initial burst, and his 1.61-second 10-yard split highlights how quickly he accelerates off the line of scrimmage. That burst is critical for defeating press coverage and creating separation from linebackers in short-area man.
That said, Hibner still has growth ahead of him as a route runner. He tends to round off his breaks at the top of his routes, largely due to average lateral agility and twitch. He’s more of a build-up-speed player than a sudden, stop-start mover.
At the next level, he projects best when deployed on vertical concepts such as seams, posts, and wheels. In the underneath game, he can be featured on shallow crossers, allowing him to catch the ball in stride and maintain his speed into open space.
With a 77-plus-inch wingspan and a 37-inch vertical, Hibner boasts a rare catch radius. He makes the quarterback’s job easier by being able to attack anything in his vicinity without needing a pinpoint throw.
He pairs that radius with a natural ability to make difficult grabs look routine. Productive tight ends have to be comfortable securing the ball in traffic, and Hibner fits that mold. He can shield defenders with his frame and extend to pluck the ball out of the air, all while bracing for and absorbing contact.
During his time at Michigan in Jim Harbaugh’s run-heavy system, Hibner developed into a solid blocker capable of functioning both in-line and on the move. He’s highly willing and competitive when aligned as a traditional “Y,” with enough functional strength to hold his own. To reach an elite level as a blocker, he’ll need to improve his hip sink to maintain a lower pad level and consistently win the leverage battle against bigger edge defenders.
Despite some in-line success, Hibner looks far more comfortable blocking in space. Operating as a move tight end or lead blocker on the perimeter, he consistently beats defenders to the spot with his short-area acceleration. He can mirror shiftier defenders while keeping his feet active, allowing him to sustain blocks long enough for the ball carrier to find daylight.
He’s unlikely to be relied upon as a full-time, traditional “Y,” but he’s more than capable of executing split-zone assignments and sealing the backside edge.
Conclusion
Hibner has emerged as a clear pre-draft winner based on his Senior Bowl and offseason testing. He’s excelled throughout and could be drafted earlier than expected. His athletic profile is exceptional for his size.
He’s more than just a high-end tester, though. There’s a solid floor in place thanks to his reliable hands and established blocking ability. He needs refinement as a route runner and mover, but can provide early depth and special teams value.
A reasonable floor comparison is Foster Moreau. Neither produced gaudy receiving numbers in college, but both are good athletes who excel at doing the dirty work. Moreau sharpened his technique as an in-line blocker to carve out a consistent role. That’s the path Hibner must follow if he wants to stay on the field regularly.
NFL Draft Projection: Mid-Late Day Three
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 6.8 (ST) (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 6.4 – 7.3
Games Watched: vs. SMU (2025), @ Clemson, vs. Miami (FL) (2025), @ Boston College (2025), vs. Arizona (2025)
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