Although 2024 was not the resurgent season for Brown football we wanted, it was a great NFL season for Michael Hoecht (pronounced "hoyt"), (@MHoecht97) class of 2020. This marked Hoecht's 4th full season starting on defense and special teams with the L.A. Rams, and he enters next season with veteran status and as a free agent.
(Photo from therams.com)
Hoecht is versatile on defense - he can slot in as an outside linebacker or lineman - and he shines on special teams play. He led the NFL this year with 3 blocked kicks - 1 field goal and 2 PAT's. You do some digging to find any player with 3 or more blocked kicks in a season with any team. The Rams last had a 4-block season - their all-time record - from Irv Cross in 1966 - about 30 years before Hoecht was born! As someone who blocked a couple punts in my youth, I can tell you that blocking kicks is not for the timid.
Brown guys are pretty unstoppable, though. More evidence: Hoecht came to the Rams as a walk-on from Brown, undrafted, and made the team.
The Rams lost out to the Eagles in the Divisional playoff round this year, and I'm sure Michael would have given back a blocked kick or two to get his team to the next round, but such is football. On Super Bowl Eve - all the best to another Brown guy in a great place!
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