Matt Wile

Matthew Blake Dickinson Wile (born June 20, 1992) is an American football punter who is a free agent. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 2011 to 2014. In four years at Michigan, he had 91 punts for 3,658 yards, an average of 40.2 yards per punt. He converted 20 of 29 field goal attempts and was successful on 33 of 33 extra point attempts.[1]

Matt Wile
refer to caption
Wile with the Michigan Wolverines in September 2012
Personal information
Born:June 20, 1992 (1992-06-20) (age 31)
San Diego, California
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:223 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:Francis Parker School
(San Diego, California)
College:Michigan
Position:Punter
Undrafted:2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Punts:90
Punting yards:4,098
Average punt:45.5
Longest punt:70
Inside 20:32
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Wile began kicking at the age of 8.[2] He attended the Francis Parker School in San Diego, California, where he played high school football as a punter, placekicker, linebacker, and defensive end.[3] As a senior in 2010, he made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts, and 91 of his 101 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.[4] After his senior year, Wile played as a punter in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.[5][6]

College career

Recruiting and commitment

After the team's placekickers converted only 4 of 14 field goal attempts in 2010, signing a placekicker was one of the top priorities for the Michigan Wolverines football team. When Brady Hoke was named the team's new head coach in January 2011, Wile became Hoke's top kicking target. Wile had multiple connections to Hoke and Michigan. His father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather all attended the University of Michigan Medical School. Additionally, Wile's father, Dr. Peter Wile, was the team doctor for the San Diego State Aztecs football team, the team Hoke coached during the 2010 season.[7][8] After Wile announced his commitment to Michigan in late January 2011, his high school coach John Morrison joked about Wile's five generation legacy at Michigan: "Talk about a Michigan man. He's as close as possible."[3] Wile had a career-long 63-yard field goal in high school and was Michigan's highest rated kicking prospect since Garrett Rivas in 2003.[9] He majored in Industrial and Operations Engineering.[4]

2011 season

Recruited principally as a placekicker, Wile was slated to handle kickoffs for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team.[10][11][12][13] However, the team's regular punter, Will Hagerup, was given a four-game suspension for violation of team rules before the season started.[14] As a result, Wile was given dual responsibility for kickoffs and punting as a true freshman.[15][16] On picking up the additional duty, Wile said, "I hadn't really been practicing punting. When I got here, they asked me to start practicing."[17]

When Michigan faced San Diego State in September 2011, Wile's father (who had been San Diego State's team doctor since 1986) told reporters that "blood is thicker than water," and he would therefore be rooting for his son and the Wolverines in the game.[18] Wile averaged 49 yards on four punts against San Diego State.[19]

During the 2011 season, Wile has handled all 79 kickoffs for the Wolverines, totaling 5,054 yards and an average of 64.0 yards per kickoff. He also handled 17 punts for 707 yards with an average of 41.6 yards and a long punt of 58 yards. He also made four solo tackles in the 2011 season.[20] For the season, he earned 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman team recognition from both ESPN.com and BTN.com.[21][22]

2012 season

Following spring practice in April 2012, head coach Brady Hoke said Wile and Will Hagerup were "neck and neck" for the position as the starting punter.[23] During the 2012 season, Wile was successful on two of three field goal attempts and handled 12 punts for an average of 35.9 yard with nine of his 12 punts pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line.[1]

2013 season
Wile in 2013

In 2013, Wile became Michigan's principal punter, handling 61 punts for an average of 40.6 yards, including 10 punts in excess of 50 yards and 16 punts pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line. He also converted three of five field goal attempts in the 2013 season.[1]

2014 season

As a senior in 2014, Wile handled only one punt but became the Wolverines' principal placekicker. He was 28 of 28 on extra point attempts and 15 of 21 on field goal attempts with two blocks.[1]

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Wile signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers May 8, 2015. He was waived on June 10, 2015.[24] He was re-signed on July 30, but was waived again on August 5.[25] On August 17, 2015, he was re-signed by the Panthers. On August 30, 2015, Wile was released by the Panthers.[26]

Dallas Cowboys

On March 31, 2016, Wile signed with the Dallas Cowboys.[27] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Cowboys.[28]

Atlanta Falcons

On November 22, 2016, Wile signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[29] On November 29, 2016, he was released by the Falcons.[30]

Arizona Cardinals

On December 6, 2016, Wile was signed to the Cardinals' practice squad.[31] He was promoted to the active roster on December 13, 2016.[32] He was released on September 4, 2017.[33]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On January 19, 2018, Wile signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[34] Wile was released on September 1, 2018.[35]

Minnesota Vikings

On September 2, 2018, Wile was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings.[36] Wile was released on September 1, 2019.[37]

Atlanta Falcons (second stint)

On September 17, 2019, Wile was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.[38] He was promoted to the active roster on September 21, 2019 following an injury to Matt Bosher.[39] He was released on September 23 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on October 1. He was re-signed to the active roster on October 5 following another injury to Bosher.[40] He was waived on October 15.

Detroit Lions

On November 6, 2019, Wile was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad, but was released three days later.[41] On November 16, he was re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on December 5. On December 30, 2019, Wile was signed to a reserve/future contract.[42] He was released on April 27, 2020.[43]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On December 31, 2020, Wile was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad.[44] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on February 16, 2021.[45]

References
  1. "Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2015.(to retrieve Wile's college statistics, enter "wile" in the box for the player's last name)
  2. Steve Brand (December 17, 2009). "Parker's kicker puts opponents in a hole". San Diego Union-Tribune.
  3. Pete Bigelow (February 1, 2011). "Michigan football team finds a natural fit in kicking recruit Matt Wile". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  4. "Matt Wile Bio". University of Michigan. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  5. "Matt Wile profile". U.S. Army All-America Bowl. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  6. "Locals in U.S. Army All-American Bowl". San Diego Union Tribune. January 6, 2011.
  7. Sam Webb (January 20, 2011). "Wolverines hope late push enough to land San Diego kicker". Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  8. "Promising kicker follows his heart to Michigan". Detroit Free Press. January 25, 2011.
  9. Kyle Meinke (August 18, 2011). "Freshman Matt Wile's strong camp has him inching toward Michigan football history". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  10. Kyle Meinke (August 19, 2011). "Freshman Matt Wile will handle kickoffs, Denard Robinson completing 70 percent of his passes and more notes". Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  11. Ryan Autullo (August 21, 2011). "Wile has leg up on competition: UM freshman may handle all kicking duties to start season". Toledo Blade.
  12. "Michigan's agony of the feet, Freshman Wile raises hope kicking game might improve". Kalamazoo Gazette. August 18, 2011.
  13. Kyle Meinkie (August 1, 2011). "Freshman Matt Wile may be answer for Michigan football team's wobbly kicking game". AnnArbor.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  14. Tim Rohan (August 7, 2011). "Stonum to redshirt in 2011; Hagerup suspended first four games". The Michigan Daily. Archived from the original on August 23, 2012.
  15. Larry Lage (August 24, 2011). "Michigan may ask Matt Wile to do it all". Associated Press. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  16. "Matt Wile might be do-it-all kicker". ESPN.com. August 25, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  17. Michael Rothstein (September 23, 2011). "Freshman puts best foot forward: San Diego native Matt Wile pressed into punting duties while Hagerup suspended". ESPN.com (Wolverine Nation). Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  18. Brent Schrotenboer (September 22, 2011). "SDSU doctor facing Michigan family drama". SignOnSanDiego.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  19. Mark Snyder (September 27, 2011). "With Hagerup back, punting job is up for grabs". Detroit Free Press.
  20. "Michigan Football Statistics (13-game Totals)". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  21. Rittenberg, Adam and Brian Bennett (December 13, 2011). "ESPN.com's Big Ten All-Freshman team". ESPN. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  22. Dienhart, Tom (December 12, 2011). "BTN.com's 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman Team". Big Ten Network. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  23. "Who will win the punting job?". CBS Sports. April 12, 2012.
  24. Strickland, Bryan (June 10, 2015). "LB Thompson lands at OTAs". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  25. Strickland, Bryan (August 5, 2015). "Panthers make roster moves". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  26. Jones, Jonathan (August 30, 2015). "Carolina Panthers cut 8 players ahead of Tuesday deadline". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  27. "Cowboys sign two special teamers | SportsDay". SportsDay. March 31, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  28. Helman, David (September 3, 2016). "Three Former Draft Picks Among Cowboys' Cuts; McFadden Moved To NFI". DallasCowboys.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018.
  29. "Falcons' Matt Wile: Signs with Falcons". cbssports.com. November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  30. Jackson, Curtis (November 29, 2016). "Falcons Place Desmond Trufant On IR". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017.
  31. Urban, Darren (December 6, 2016). "Punter Wile added to practice squad". Blog.AZCardinals.com.
  32. Urban, Darren (December 13, 2016). "Cardinals Switch Punters, Sign Scooby Wright". AZCardinals.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017.
  33. Urban, Darren (September 4, 2017). "Cardinals Sign Punter Andy Lee". AZCardinals.com.
  34. "Steelers sign three to Reserve/Future Contracts". Steelers.com. January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018.
  35. "Steelers reduce roster to 53". Steelers.com. September 1, 2018.
  36. "Vikings Claim P Matt Wile Via Waivers, Sign 9 Others To Practice Squad". Vikings.com. September 2, 2018.
  37. "Vikings sign veteran punter Britton Colquitt, release Matt Wile". skornorth.com. September 1, 2019. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  38. "Falcons make moves, sign two players to practice squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 17, 2019.
  39. "Falcons add punter to active roster". AtlantaFalcons.com. September 21, 2019.
  40. McFadden, Will (October 5, 2019). "Falcons sign punter in wake of Matt Bosher injury". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  41. "Lions sign free agents RB Bo Scarbrough & P Matt Wile to practice squad". DetroitLions.com. November 6, 2019.
  42. "Lions report 11 Reserve/Future signings". DetroitLions.com. December 30, 2019.
  43. @Lions (April 27, 2020). "The Detroit Lions announced today that they have released the following players: RB Tra Carson LS James Fisher G Casey Tucker P Matt Wile" (Tweet). Retrieved April 30, 2020 – via Twitter.
  44. Smith, Scott (December 31, 2020). "Bucs Add P Matt Wile to Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com.
  45. "Five Bucs reserves hit free agency". FantasyGuru.com. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
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