Matt Wile

Wile began kicking at the age of 8.{{cite news|title=Parker's kicker puts opponents in a hole|author=Steve Brand|newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=December 17, 2009|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/17/parkers-kicker-puts-opponents-hole/}} He attended the Francis Parker School in San Diego, California, where he played high school football as a punter, placekicker, linebacker, and defensive end. As a senior in 2010, he made 10 of his 13 field goal attempts, and 91 of his 101 kickoffs resulted in touchbacks.{{cite web|title=Matt Wile Bio|publisher=University of Michigan|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wile_matt00.html}} After his senior year, Wile played as a punter in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.{{cite web|title=Matt Wile profile|publisher=U.S. Army All-America Bowl|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/view_player.php?id=9844|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914053908/http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/view_player.php?id=9844|archive-date=September 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Locals in U.S. Army All-American Bowl|newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune|date=January 6, 2011|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/jan/06/locals-us-army-all-american-bowl/}}

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.{{cite news|date=January 20, 2011|author=Sam Webb|title=Wolverines hope late push enough to land San Diego kicker|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://detnews.com/article/20110120/OPINION03/101200417/Wolverines-hope-late-push-enough-to-land-San-Diego-kicker}}{{cite news|title=Promising kicker follows his heart to Michigan|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=January 25, 2011|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20110125/SPORTS06/101250429/Promising-kicker-follows-his-heart-Michigan}} 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."{{cite news|author=Pete Bigelow|title=Michigan football team finds a natural fit in kicking recruit Matt Wile|newspaper=AnnArbor.com|date=February 1, 2011|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://annarbor.com/sports/um-football/michigan-football-team-finds-a-natural-fit-in-kicking-recruit-matt-wile/}} 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.{{cite news|title=Freshman Matt Wile's strong camp has him inching toward Michigan football history|author=Kyle Meinke|date=August 18, 2011|newspaper=AnnArbor.com|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/freshman-matt-wiles-strong-camp-has-him-in-position-to-make-michigan-football-history/}} He majored in Industrial and Operations Engineering.

Recruited principally as a placekicker, Wile was slated to handle kickoffs for the 2011 Michigan Wolverines football team.{{cite news|title=Freshman Matt Wile will handle kickoffs, Denard Robinson completing 70 percent of his passes and more notes|author=Kyle Meinke|date=August 19, 2011|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://www.annarbor.com/sports/um-football/freshman-matt-wile-will-handle-kickoffs-denard-robinson-completing-70-percent-of-his-passes-more/}}{{cite news|title=Wile has leg up on competition: UM freshman may handle all kicking duties to start season|author=Ryan Autullo|newspaper=Toledo Blade|date=August 21, 2011|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Michigan/2011/08/21/Wile-a-leg-up-on-competition.html}}{{cite news|newspaper=Kalamazoo Gazette|date=August 18, 2011 |title=Michigan's agony of the feet, Freshman Wile raises hope kicking game might improve}}{{cite news|author=Kyle Meinkie|title=Freshman Matt Wile may be answer for Michigan football team's wobbly kicking game|newspaper=AnnArbor.com|date=August 1, 2011|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://annarbor.com/sports/um-football/kicking-game-remains-a-concern-for-michigan-football-team-after-wobbly-2010-season/}} However, the team's regular punter, Will Hagerup, was given a four-game suspension for violation of team rules before the season started.{{cite news|date=August 7, 2011|author=Tim Rohan|title=Stonum to redshirt in 2011; Hagerup suspended first four games|newspaper=The Michigan Daily|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/blog/stonum-redshirt-2011-hagerup-suspended-first-four-games|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823083435/http://www.michigandaily.com/blog/stonum-redshirt-2011-hagerup-suspended-first-four-games|archive-date=August 23, 2012}} As a result, Wile was given dual responsibility for kickoffs and punting as a true freshman.{{cite news|title=Michigan may ask Matt Wile to do it all|author=Larry Lage|publisher=Associated Press|date=August 24, 2011|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700173179/Michigan-may-ask-Matt-Wile-to-do-it-all.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827025355/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700173179/Michigan-may-ask-Matt-Wile-to-do-it-all.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2011}}{{Cite news |date=August 25, 2011 |title=Matt Wile might be do-it-all kicker |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/6890921/matt-wile-michigan-wolverines-handle-kickoffs-fgs-punts |access-date=October 17, 2011 |work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}} 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."{{cite news|author=Michael Rothstein|title=Freshman puts best foot forward: San Diego native Matt Wile pressed into punting duties while Hagerup suspended|publisher=ESPN.com (Wolverine Nation)|date=September 23, 2011|access-date=October 17, 2011|url=https://www.espn.com/colleges/michigan/football/story/_/id/7007211/matt-wile-fills-punter-michigan-wolverines}}

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.{{cite news|title=SDSU doctor facing Michigan family drama|author=Brent Schrotenboer|newspaper=SignOnSanDiego.com|access-date=October 17, 2011|date=September 22, 2011|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/22/sdsu-doctor-faced-michigan-family-drama/}} Wile averaged 49 yards on four punts against San Diego State.{{cite news|title=With Hagerup back, punting job is up for grabs|date=September 27, 2011|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|url=http://www.freep.com/article/20110927/SPORTS06/109270409/With-Hagerup-back-punting-job-up-grabs|author=Mark Snyder}}

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.{{cite web|title=Michigan Football Statistics (13-game Totals)|publisher=University of Michigan|access-date=May 3, 2011|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/010612aaa.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701061926/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/010612aaa.html|archive-date=July 1, 2012|url-status=dead}} For the season, he earned 2011 Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team recognition from both ESPN.com and BTN.com.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/41139/espn-coms-big-ten-all-freshman-team-2|title=ESPN.com's Big Ten All-Freshman team|access-date=January 5, 2012|date=December 13, 2011|publisher=ESPN|author=Rittenberg, Adam and Brian Bennett}}{{cite web|url=http://btn.com/2011/12/12/btn-coms-2011-big-ten-all-freshman-team/|title=BTN.com's 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman Team|access-date=January 5, 2012|date=December 12, 2011|publisher=Big Ten Network|author=Dienhart, Tom}}

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.{{cite news|title=Who will win the punting job?|work=CBS Sports|date=April 12, 2012|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/rapid-reports/post/18501583}} 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.{{cite web|title=Michigan Football Statistic Archive Query Page |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=April 15, 2015 |url=http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/footstart.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112175906/http://stats.ath.umich.edu/football/footstart.php |archive-date=November 12, 2007 }}(to retrieve Wile's college statistics, enter "wile" in the box for the player's last name)

File:Matt Wile (11157736586).jpg

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.

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.

Wile signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers May 8, 2015. He was waived on June 10, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/LB-Thompson-lands-at-OTAs/c5c6531f-3e10-4d5f-91df-f813cabeb6ce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622234039/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/LB-Thompson-lands-at-OTAs/c5c6531f-3e10-4d5f-91df-f813cabeb6ce |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 22, 2016 |title=LB Thompson lands at OTAs |last=Strickland |first=Bryan |date=June 10, 2015 |website=Panthers.com |access-date=September 16, 2015}} He was re-signed on July 30, but was waived again on August 5.{{cite web|work=Panthers.com|url=http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-make-roster-moves/6b530741-bc2e-4c48-b8fe-48ca9b719e0d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808073418/http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Panthers-make-roster-moves/6b530741-bc2e-4c48-b8fe-48ca9b719e0d|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2017|title=Panthers make roster moves|first=Bryan|last=Strickland|date=August 5, 2015|access-date=August 5, 2015}} On August 17, 2015, he was re-signed by the Panthers. On August 30, 2015, Wile was released by the Panthers.{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Jones |title= Carolina Panthers cut 8 players ahead of Tuesday deadline |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/nfl-blog/article32800806.html |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=August 30, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2015}}

On March 31, 2016, Wile signed with the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |date=March 31, 2016 |title=Cowboys sign two special teamers |url=http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2016/03/31/cowboys-sign-two-special-teamers |access-date=May 2, 2016 |website=SportsDay}} On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Cowboys.{{cite web|title=Three Former Draft Picks Among Cowboys' Cuts; McFadden Moved To NFI|url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2016/09/03/three-former-draft-picks-among-cowboys-cuts-mcfadden-moved-nfi|last=Helman|first=David|website=DallasCowboys.com|date=September 3, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222185931/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2016/09/03/three-former-draft-picks-among-cowboys-cuts-mcfadden-moved-nfi|archive-date=February 22, 2018}}

On November 22, 2016, Wile signed with the Atlanta Falcons.{{cite web | url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/falcons-matt-wile-signs-with-falcons/ | title=Falcons' Matt Wile: Signs with Falcons | publisher=cbssports.com | date=November 22, 2016 | access-date=November 22, 2016}} On November 29, 2016, he was released by the Falcons.{{cite web|title=Falcons Place Desmond Trufant On IR|url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Place-Desmond-Trufant-on-IR/738beb9d-6860-4495-b716-2acbacc03efe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830193308/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Place-Desmond-Trufant-on-IR/738beb9d-6860-4495-b716-2acbacc03efe|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2017|author=Jackson, Curtis|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=November 29, 2016}}

On December 6, 2016, Wile was signed to the practice squad of the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=December 6, 2016 |title=Punter Wile added to practice squad |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/punter-wile-added-to-practice-squad |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=AZCardinals.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 13, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=December 13, 2016 |title=Cardinals Switch Punters, Sign Scooby Wright |url=http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Switch-Punters-Sign-Scooby-Wright/020ef8dd-ad77-4859-be4a-713e043ce08b |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823115515/http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Switch-Punters-Sign-Scooby-Wright/020ef8dd-ad77-4859-be4a-713e043ce08b |archive-date=August 23, 2017 |website=AZCardinals.com}} He was released on September 4, 2017.{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=September 4, 2017 |title=Cardinals Sign Punter Andy Lee |url=http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Sign-Punter-Andy-Lee/b91509f5-638f-44ea-8e9f-2f8568dee3e9 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=AZCardinals.com}}

On January 19, 2018, Wile signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2018 |title=Steelers sign three to Reserve/Future Contracts |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/article-4/Steelers-sign-three-to-ReserveFuture-Contracts/be70ca8b-b3df-40e4-8f88-5940467d492d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515084331/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-4/Steelers-sign-three-to-ReserveFuture-Contracts/be70ca8b-b3df-40e4-8f88-5940467d492d |archive-date=May 15, 2018 |website=Steelers.com}} Wile was released on September 1, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Varley |first=Teresa |date=September 1, 2018 |title=Steelers reduce roster to 53 |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-reduce-roster-to-53 |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Steelers.com}}

On September 2, 2018, Wile was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite web |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Vikings Claim P Matt Wile Via Waivers, Sign 9 Others To Practice Squad |url=https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-claim-p-matt-wile-via-waivers-sign-9-others-to-practice-squad |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Vikings.com}} Wile was released on September 1, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Zulgad |first=Judd |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Vikings sign veteran punter Britton Colquitt, release Matt Wile |url=https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019/09/report-vikings-to-sign-britton-colquitt-release-matt-wile/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902055501/https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2019/09/report-vikings-to-sign-britton-colquitt-release-matt-wile/ |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |access-date=September 2, 2019 |website=SKOR North}}

On September 17, 2019, Wile was signed to the Falcons practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Urben |first=Matt |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Falcons release two players, sign two to practice squad |url=https://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/18/atlanta-falcons-roster-moves-nfl-matt-wile/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Falcons Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 21, 2019, following an injury to Matt Bosher.{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=September 21, 2019 |title=Falcons add punter to active roster |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-add-punter-to-active-roster |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=October 5, 2019 |title=Falcons sign punter in wake of Matt Bosher injury |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-sign-punter-in-wake-of-matt-bosher-injury |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} He was waived on October 15.{{Cite web |last=Choate |first=Dave |date=October 15, 2019 |title=Falcons waive P Matt Wile with injury settlement |url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2019/10/15/20915928/falcons-waive-p-matt-wile-with-injury-settlement-kasey-redfern-john-wetzel |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=The Falcoholic |language=en}}

On November 6, 2019, Wile was signed to the Detroit Lions practice squad, but was released three days later.{{Cite web |last=Reisman |first=Jeremy |date=November 6, 2019 |title=Lions add RB Bo Scarbrough, P Matt Wile to practice squad |url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2019/11/6/20951447/detroit-lions-sign-bo-scarbrough-practice-squad-matt-wile-punter |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Pride Of Detroit |language=en}} On November 16, he was re-signed to the practice squad. He was released on December 5.{{cite web | last=Whiticar | first=John | title=Who will be the Lions' starting punter? | website=Pride Of Detroit | date=2020-06-29 | url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2020/6/29/21306468/detroit-lions-starting-punter-2020-camp-battle | access-date=2025-01-04}} On December 30, 2019, Wile was signed to a reserve/future contract.{{Cite web |last=Meinke |first=Kyle |date=December 30, 2019 |title=Lions sign 11 players to futures contract, including long snapper |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/lions-sign-11-players-to-futures-contract-including-long-snapper.html |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=MLive.com |language=en}} He was released on April 27, 2020.{{cite tweet |user=Lions |title=The Detroit Lions announced today that they have released the following players: RB Tra Carson LS James Fisher G Casey Tucker P Matt Wile |number=1254757264822620161|date=April 27, 2020 |accessdate=April 30, 2020}}

On December 31, 2020, Wile was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Scott |date=December 31, 2020 |title=Bucs Add P Matt Wile to Practice Squad |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-punter-matt-wile-practice-squad-roster-move |access-date=February 18, 2024 |website=Buccaneers.com}} His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on February 16, 2021.{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2021 |title=Five Bucs reserves hit free agency |url=https://www.fantasyguru.com/buccaneers-five-bucs-reserves-hit-free-agency/ |access-date=February 23, 2021 |website=FantasyGuru.com |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227182238/https://www.fantasyguru.com/buccaneers-five-bucs-reserves-hit-free-agency/ |url-status=dead }}

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Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Francis Parker School (San Diego) alumni

Category:American football placekickers

Category:American football punters

Category:Carolina Panthers players

Category:Dallas Cowboys players

Category:Michigan Wolverines football players

Category:Players of American football from San Diego

Category:Atlanta Falcons players

Category:Arizona Cardinals players

Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players

Category:Minnesota Vikings players

Category:Detroit Lions players

Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players