One of the most fun and underrated portions of the NFL schedule comes in late March, prior to the draft but following the initial craziness of free agency. That span of time is the pro day circuit, with schools giving their players a chance to show coaches and scouts for one final time what they can do before the draft rolls around. The New Orleans Saints always have a heavy presence during this cycle, and that is no different in 2026.
Recently, it was reported that New Orleans met with another tight end prospect, as they took the chance to have dinner with SMU prospect Matthew Hibner, a fast-riser due to his pro day performance.
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Hibner initially started his collegiate career at Michigan, and after three years of not having a huge role in the receiving game, he moved on to play for SMU in his last two years of eligibility. This did wonders for his career, as in those two seasons combined, he had 55 receptions for 804 yards and 8 touchdowns, with 31 receptions, 436 yards, and 4 of those touchdowns coming in 2025.
He fits right into the size mold of an NFL tight end at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, and tested extremely well both at the SMU pro day and the combine. His speed is immensely impressive for his size, posting a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, which is a huge reason for his late success. Now, he looks to turn to the NFL to further his career, and he will have a great chance to do so given his athletic testing and production.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Saints meet with SMU tight end Matthew Hibner