Michael Hoecht
Defensive Tackle / Brown

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?

Michael Hoecht:  6’4, 290 pounds and 4.65.

Alex Khvatov:  4.65 is an impressive feat for a 290-pound DL.  What did you play in high school?

Michael Hoecht:  I attribute it to playing RB in high school.  I led the league in rushing.  I was a 260-pound wing type guy.  We had the Navy triple option offense. 

Alex Khvatov:  Where were you born?

Michael Hoecht:  I was born in Canada.  My family moved down to Ohio in 2001.  I was four years old at the time. 

Alex Khvatov:  Where were you training for the NFL Draft?

Michael Hoecht:  I was training at Mike Boyle’s strength and conditioning facility outside of Boston.  They have a lot of pro athletes there.  I had good recommendations from former Brown players that have trained there.  They have everything down to a science.  I wouldn’t have to be put those numbers without them.      

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your mock Pro Day.  What were your overall results?

Michael Hoecht:  The gyms were closing all across the nation.  Lockdown was on the horizon.  I tried to get the pro day out there as soon as possible.  I ran through the pro day at Boyle’s facility.  It was filmed and it was laser time.  I ran a 4.65 forty.  It was the third fastest forty among the DL.  I ran a 4.20 in the 5-10-5, which is the fastest of all DL at the Combine.  It was actually the slowest time that I have run.  I had the second fastest time in the three-cone among all of the DL at the Combine.  It was 7.07.  I produced some impressive numbers for my size. 

Alex Khvatov:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Michael Hoecht:  I went to a small high school in Ohio.  I went to summer camps before my senior year.  I had FCS schools and I was offered by Brown, Cornell and Lehigh.    

Alex Khvatov:  Why did you choose Brown?

Michael Hoecht:  I developed a good relationship with the coaching staff.  Coach at Brown thought that I moved well and I had the frame and size to be a dominant three-tech.  He was right.  They believed in me and saw my potential.  I also could get a degree from Brown.   

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths?

Michael Hoecht:  Having the weight to bull rush.  I am versatile.  I can play three-tech or speed rush off the edge.  I can do a combination of both.  I can rush the passer and set the edge.  I can move inside in passing situations.  Some teams see me as a five-tech, three-tech or even as a TE.    

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Michael Hoecht:  Coach told me that there is no such thing as a perfect play.  I need to take the next step in the pass rush.  Work on my moves.  The biggest thing is continuing to drop my pad level and learn to control my leverage.    

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about your overall career.

Michael Hoecht:  Team wise, it was a tumultuous time.  We had coaching turnover.  We lost 54 kids that quit the team in my four years here.  They just fell out of love for football.  Guys that were here put in the hard work every day.  I was proud of my teammates.  Personally, I loved being here.  I came from a small high school.  I was able to get on the field and start as a freshman.  I started every game since then.  I was elected captain two years in a row under two different coaches.  I performed well.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your career up to this point?

Michael Hoecht:  My favorite game was during my sophomore year against Rhode Island.  No one expected us to win.  We came out and played a perfect second half.  It is a team that we shouldn’t have beaten.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your biggest accomplishment in college that you are most proud of? 

Michael Hoecht:  Being named team captain at Brown.  Brown football has a long history.  We only had two-year captains four times in our history, and I was one of them.  It is an honor.  It is a point of pride for me.    

Alex Khvatov:  What was the biggest thing that you took away from your coaching staff? 

Michael Hoecht:  Being coachable.  I had three different DL coaches.  Every one of them was trying to teach new techniques, and you have to learn quickly and adapt to it.      

Alex Khvatov:  What is the most important trait for a DL?

Michael Hoecht:  Knowing your defense.  Missed assignments will kill you in college.  You have to be in the right place at the right time and you will be able to make plays.    

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Michael Hoecht:  I grew up as an Ohio State fan.  I was more involved with CFB.  Whoever picks me up, I will be their fan for life.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite NFL player?

Michael Hoecht:  Hands down, it is Aaron Donald.  He has a great combination of strength and speed.  If I end up on the Rams, I will soak up all of the information from him.      

Alex Khvatov:  Before the ball is snapped, what are the tendencies that you are looking for from the defense? 

Michael Hoecht:  I look at the formation and personnel and looking at some expected tendencies.  I am big on body language.  If the OL is leaning forward, he will be firing out and it will be a run.  You are figuring what will be the right move for you.  If it is a passing situation, you are hoping to get a good jump at the snap. 

Alex Khvatov:  What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?

Michael Hoecht:  QB EJ Perry put up some scary numbers last year.  He led the nation in total offense and set records at Brown.  TE Emerson Logie was a big contributor for us last year.    

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?

Michael Hoecht:  OG Dieter Eiselen from Yale.  We trained together in New York last year.  It was fun to go up against him.  It was a good challenge.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Michael Hoecht:  Winning.  I want to win a super bowl at the end of the day.  That thought gets me excited.    

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Michael Hoecht:  I play a little bit of drums and guitar.  I stay close to my family and friends.    

Alex Khvatov:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?

Michael Hoecht:  I majored in business entrepreneurship.  I want to be a professional football player.  I will pursue that until someone tells me I can’t do it anymore.      

Alex Khvatov:  What five words best describe you?

Michael Hoecht:  Leader, fast, enthusiastic, optimistic and smart.