With The First Pick
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North Carolina vs. Temple: 5 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch in Military Bowl

By Nicholas Perlich

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: Teammates Jeremiah Gemmel #44 and Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react after a play during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 26: Teammates Jeremiah Gemmel #44 and Chazz Surratt #21 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react after a play during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Matt Hennessy #58 of the Temple Owls consoles Frank Nutile #8 after he threw an interception in the final moments of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Lincoln Financial Field on September 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Temple Owls 19-17. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Matt Hennessy #58 of the Temple Owls consoles Frank Nutile #8 after he threw an interception in the final moments of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Lincoln Financial Field on September 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the Temple Owls 19-17. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

885. Scouting Report. Matt Hennessy. 58. player. Pick Analysis. Center. Temple

Matt Hennessy is another Redshirt Junior who could technically return to Temple in 2020. That being said, he is by far the highest-rated NFL prospect on the Temple sideline. He is an incredible leader of the offensive line, offense, and team as a whole from his center position. In fact, Hennessy was so good this season that he was named one of the finalists for the Rimington Trophy as one of the best centers in college football.

Hennessy has very good size and length for the center position at 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds with very long arms. He is a smart football player who shows his football IQ every game while making the right protections calls for his offensive line. He uses his smarts, balance, and coordination to be a very good pass blocker. However, he lacks elite strength for the position right now as he can easily get pushed back into the pocket by powerful bull rushes.

Hennessy will fit best in a zone-blocking scheme in the NFL where he can better utilize his football IQ and adequate athleticism. At worst, he projects as a solid backup at the next level. If Temple is able to have success on offense versus the Tar Heels’ defense, then you will need not look farther than Hennessy as a major reason why.

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