A 2023 national champion at Michigan who barely played there, then broke out at SMU and became a Ravens fourth-round pick.
Matthew Hibner's college career is a study in patience: three quiet seasons at Michigan, capped by a national title he watched mostly from the sideline, followed by a breakout two-year run at SMU that got him drafted. Baltimore traded up in the fourth round of the 2026 draft to take him, adding another tight end to a room built around Mark Andrews.
Path to the league
Hibner spent four seasons at Michigan from 2020 to 2023, playing almost exclusively as a reserve and finishing with just two catches for 15 yards despite being part of the 2023 College Football Playoff national championship team. He transferred to SMU for 2024 and 2025, where he became a full-time starter and go-to receiving option. The Ravens traded up to select him with the 133rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL draft, sending a later pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder to San Francisco to move up the board.
Career highlights
At SMU, Hibner developed into a productive receiving tight end, starting eight games in 2024 with 24 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns before an even bigger role in 2025. He became the third SMU tight end drafted in the past decade, joining Kylen Granson and Grant Calcaterra, and the highest-drafted Mustang since Rashee Rice went in 2023.
2025 season recap
In his final college season, Hibner started all 13 games for SMU and caught 31 passes for 436 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yard reception, before entering the 2026 NFL draft. Baltimore's decision to trade up for him signaled real confidence in his pass-catching upside at the position.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Matthew Hibner
- Baltimore Ravens: 5 Things to Know About Matt Hibner
- ESPN: Matthew Hibner
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- SMU
- Hometown
- Burke, VA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
