Michael Hoecht

BIOGRAPHY

This is an expressive bio that outlines the life and football career of Canadian-born athlete, Michael Hoecht. Born on October 5, 1997, Michael spent his early years in Oakville, Ontario before continuously shuffling between his homeland and Oakwood, Ohio, USA due to his family’s regular relocation. Despite these multiple moves, he rapidly grew a passion for football which saw him secure a glorious linebacker career in the National Football League (NFL), playing for the prestigious Los Angeles Rams.

Michael’s football career started in his high school days. He alternated between two high schools, both in Canada and the USA, namely South Carleton High School in Stittsville, Canada, and the North Toronto Collegiate Institute. His final high school years were spent at Oakwood High School, in Ohio, further sowing the seeds for his thriving football career.

Upon graduating high school, Michael was fortunate to secure a spot in the Brown Bears, his college football team. Here, he honed his skills over four intense seasons and became a formidable athlete. His senior year culminated in him being named the second-team All-Ivy League, a testament to his impactful 42 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, and four sacks. Overall, Michael’s college football journey was marked by 174 bone-crushing tackles, a sensational 29.5 tackles for loss, and a staggering 16.5 sacks across 37 games. He also relentlessly forced two fumbles and recovered four.

Upon leaving the Ivy League, Michael was immediately signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams after the 2020 NFL draft. The Ottawa Redblacks also selected him in the second round of the 2020 CFL Draft, highlighting his football prowess. However, Michael’s dreams seemed to take a hit when he was waived by the Rams during the final roster cuts. Yet, the team gave him a lifeline by signing him to their practice squad in the following day — a decision that greatly shaped Michael’s career.

In his second year with the Rams, Michael seized the opportunity of signing a reserve/futures contract, setting him on a path towards achieving greater heights. He shined bright in the 2021 season, making it to the Rams’ 53-man roster after training camp. Michael displayed an incredible form, playing all 17 regular-season games with three starts, and making seven tackles. Incredibly, he also participated in the Rams’ four postseason games, contributing to their ultimate 23-20 triumph over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

In his ongoing career, Michael’s performance in the 2022 season was particularly noteworthy. He consistently featured on the Rams’ active roster, and midway through the season, the team moved him from the defensive tackle to the outside linebacker position. This move saw him start the final seven games, making 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, and hitting the quarterback eight times.

Once again, in March 2023, the Rams, seeing his potential, tendered him as an exclusive rights free agent for the 2023 season, and he quickly signed the offer. Michael continued to dominate the field, starting every game featuring opposite rookie Byron Young. He concluded the season with six commendable sacks, an impressive 81 tackles, a single forced fumble, seven tackles for loss, and leaving a mark on the quarterbacks eleven times. His efforts were pivotal in helping the Rams clinch a playoff berth, thus setting up a thrilling wildcard round match against the Detroit Lions, which unfortunately saw the Rams lose by a single point, ending at 23-24.

Throughout his career, Michael Hoecht has resonated as an exceptional football player, consistently weaving a tale of skill, resilience, and fortitude. Despite his background, Michael managed to make a name for himself in both the CFL and NFL, and at still a young age, the prospect of his future career remains exciting and very promising.