Washington Redskins Unheralded Players: TE Hale Hentges

Who is Redskins TE Hale Hentges?

Sometimes Unheralded Players have to simply cherish the opportunities that come to them. Hentges has experience with this; while most tight ends might dream of being the playmaker and the X-Factor, Hentges served a more obstructed purpose in his time at Alabama: Blocking.

Hentges, once a four-star prospect out of Jefferson City, Missouri, caught 169 passes for 2,559 yards and 34 touchdowns in high school, capping off a stellar career with 52 catches, 969 yards, and 11 scores in his senior season. He got onto the map as a receiver, but once he got to Alabama, he needed to stand out in a different way, in order to break through the roster’s insulation of talent.

Hentges bulked up upon arriving at Alabama, and soon caught attention as a physical, tenacious run blocker. He received two starts in his freshman season for that purpose, and went on to play in 58 games over the course of his collegiate career, finding a niche for himself as a blocker on the edge. He earned the captain designation as a senior for his experience and leadership, and was a steady constant for the team’s offense.

Hentges would only catch 15 passes for 120 yards and six scores over that same timespan, however, and his lack of receiving production caused him to go undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft. Hentges was brought on by the Colts, and quickly impressed coaches with his receiving ability in one-on-ones. Colts’ assistant Nick Sirianni likened Hentges to teammate and two-time Pro Bowler Jack Doyle.

"I’ve seen just consistency out of [Hentges]. A lot of consistency of just, ‘Hey, I know what to expect in the run game,’ and then he’s surprising us in the pass game. Because it doesn’t seem like he – I’m not going to say anything I don’t say to him, we know he’s not the most athletic guy, but he just finds a way to get open."

Hentges managed to force his way onto the 53-man roster, at a position that already had three spots taken. But when new space was needed, Hentges’ spot was expendable, and the Colts ended up waiving him in early October. The Redskins signed Hentges off of waivers on October 7, and he would finish out the year in burgundy and gold.

For much of the season, Hentges reprised the role he was best-known for at Alabama; he was primarily a run blocker, providing extra help on the edge for ball carriers. But starting in Week 16, shades of his receiving potential became apparent.

Hentges caught his first touchdown from Dwayne Haskins in Week 16 against the Giants, and in the season finale, Hentges gave Washington a strong final impression to consider, hauling in four catches for 62 yards in an offense-pacing performance. He got open, got tough yards, and ultimately got a ticket to training camp in 2020.