Matt Hennessy Bio
Matthew Connor Hennessy is an American professional football center in the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 17, 1997, in Nyack, New York, Hennessy developed into one of the most reliable interior linemen of his draft class through a steady climb from a New York–area high school program to a multi-team NFL career.
Hennessy attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School, played college football for the Temple Owls, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 78th overall pick. Recognized as a Third-team All-American and a First-team All-AAC player in 2019, he has built a reputation for toughness, positional versatility, and durable play at center and guard.
Early Life and Background
Hennessy was born in Nyack, New York, and grew up in Bardonia, New York, in a football household that shaped his early appreciation for the sport. Matt and his older brother, Thomas Hennessy, grew up as fans of the New York Giants, a connection that anchored their interest in the offensive line and special teams.
He attended Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey, one of the most respected football programs in the country. As a junior and senior, Hennessy started at offensive tackle for the Ironmen, giving him foundational experience on the edge of the line before his future transition inside.
Coming out of high school, Hennessy was rated as a 3-star offensive tackle recruit by Rivals.com. He chose to play college football at Temple over scholarship offers from Air Force, Army, Florida Atlantic, Old Dominion, and Yale, among others, signaling his preference for an offense that would develop his technique at a high level.
Path to American Football
Hennessy arrived at Temple in 2016 and began his college career as a true freshman appearing in three games with one start at left guard. The experience was enough to confirm his potential, and he redshirted the rest of the season to preserve a year of eligibility while adding the strength needed for the interior line.
Going into his redshirt freshman year, Hennessy won the Owls’ starting center job and started all but one game that he missed due to injury. The early promotion at a premium position reflected the coaching staff’s belief in his football intelligence, snapping accuracy, and run-block leverage.
As a redshirt sophomore, he was awarded a single-digit jersey, number three, as one of the nine toughest players on the Temple roster, an honor he wore in practice since offensive linemen are not eligible to wear single-digit numbers in games. He started eleven games that season, missing two with injury, and continued refining the consistency that would soon attract NFL scouts.
Matt Hennessy Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Hennessy’s redshirt junior season in 2019 was his breakthrough year at Temple. He started all 12 games at center for the Owls and was named first-team All-American Athletic Conference, second-team All-American by USA Today, and third-team All-American by the Associated Press, while also being named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top center.
Following the end of the season, Hennessy announced that he would forgo his final season of NCAA eligibility to enter the 2020 NFL Draft. Having graduated in December of his redshirt junior year, he was invited to and played in the 2020 Senior Bowl, where he cemented his status as one of the top center prospects in the class.
Atlanta Falcons Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Hennessy was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 78th overall pick. As a rookie, he played behind veteran center Alex Mack, learning the professional game’s pace, protections, and weekly preparation demands while contributing on special teams and in rotational roles.
In 2021, Hennessy was named the Falcons’ starting center and started every game, validating the organization’s decision to develop him as Mack’s long-term replacement. The following season, he started at left guard before suffering a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on November 8, 2022, before returning to start the final two games of the year at guard.
His time in Atlanta closed in 2023, when a knee injury in training camp led to a stint on injured reserve beginning August 16, 2023. Across his first stint with the Falcons, Hennessy played 64 games with 24 starts, numbers that reflected his durability and his value as a versatile swing lineman.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024)
On March 13, 2024, Hennessy signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, seeking a fresh opportunity in a competitive offensive line room. He was released on August 27, 2024, as the team finalized its roster, leaving him to evaluate his options late in the offseason.
Atlanta Falcons Second Stint (2024)
On September 24, 2024, with starting center Drew Dalman going to injured reserve, the Falcons signed Hennessy back to their practice squad to reinforce the interior of their offensive line. He was promoted to the active roster on October 15, providing experienced depth during a critical stretch of the season.
Hennessy was waived on November 14 and re-signed to the practice squad, illustrating the constant churn of roster management in today’s NFL and his willingness to remain ready.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–2025)
On December 26, 2024, Hennessy signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers off the Falcons’ practice squad, joining one of the league’s most respected offensive line units. The move gave him a multi-year runway and a fresh start in a West Coast offense built on physicality at the point of attack.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hennessy’s strengths center on his positional versatility, as he has started at both center and left guard in the NFL, and his toughness in short-yardage and gap-scheme running situations. His compact build, listed at 6 ft 4 in and 315 lb, combined with his college background in zone-blocking principles, allows him to fit cleanly into outside-zone and counter concepts while still anchoring against power.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hennessy’s most notable milestones include his Rimington Trophy finalist nod in 2019, his third-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, and his transition to a full-time starting role with the Falcons in 2021. His steady career path from a 3-star recruit to a multi-team NFL veteran stands as a signature storyline of his professional journey.
Matt Hennessy Career Wins
Matt Hennessy’s professional resume is built less on counting championship trophies and more on durability, versatility, and longevity across multiple franchises. Across his time with the Falcons, Eagles, 49ers, and Cowboys, he has logged 64 games played and 24 games started as of the 2025 season, a clear indicator of consistent contribution.
NFL Career Highlights
Hennessy’s first NFL win as a regular starter came during the 2021 season when he started every game for the Atlanta Falcons at center. Most recently, he has contributed on game days for the San Francisco 49ers, appearing on a two-year contract signed in December 2024 as a reliable interior backup.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Hennessy’s top pre-professional honors include his 2019 Third-team All-American selection and his First-team All-AAC recognition, awards that placed him among the most accomplished centers in college football that season.
| Team | Years | Games Played | Games Started |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons (first stint) | 2020–2023 | 64 | 24 |
Matt Hennessy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hennessy grew up in a tight-knit football family in Bardonia, New York, where the sport was a daily topic at home. His older brother, Thomas Hennessy, plays long snapper in the NFL, giving the Hennessy household a rare connection to two different roles along the offensive line and special teams units.
Personal Life
Matt and his brother grew up as New York Giants fans, a fact that has long connected their family story to the broader narrative of football in the New York region. The brothers remain linked through their professional careers, with Thomas serving as the long snapper for the New York Jets.
2025 Season Performance
Hennessy entered the 2025 season on his two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, signed in late December 2024, providing stability and depth at the interior of one of the NFL’s most respected offensive lines. His role on game day and in practice positioned him as a key swing piece capable of starting at center or guard when called upon.
Throughout the season, Hennessy’s contributions centered on maintaining a high practice standard and stepping into the lineup whenever injuries or rotation moves required. His experience as a former full-time starter gave the 49ers a trusted option behind their primary interior trio.
Looking ahead, Hennessy’s contract runs through 2026, putting him on track to remain a relevant NFL contributor beyond 2025. His combination of starting experience, positional flexibility, and special teams background makes him a valuable depth piece for any contender in the league.