Wake Forest Athletics
Hebbeler Finding Home on Offensive Side of the Ball
4/12/2020 12:32:00 PM | Football
"The staff wants to play the best guys — the guys who give them the best opportunity to win." - Connor Hebbeler
By Les Johns
It seemed like a pretty standard spring break in Myrtle Beach for Wake Forest football players Connor Hebbeler, Zach Tom, Michael Jurgens and Allan Rappleyea — until it wasn't.
Sporting events started getting canceled and the players were seeing the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic play out by what they were seeing on social media.
"I didn't really have a firm grip on everything that was going on," Hebbeler said. "When we were there, it didn't seem like the craziest thing, but as the days went on it was apparent we needed to head home."
Then Wake Forest announced that spring break was going to be extended for a week and classes were going to move to an online format.
"Made a 12-hour drive home and have been stuck here ever since," Hebbeler said. "I've been working out in my basement as much as possible."
The remainder of the spring semester has been moved online and football spring camp was shut down 10 practices shy of the 15 allowed. There's no Spring Game this season. Hebbeler is hearing from tight end coach Wayne Lineburg nearly every other day.
"It's been so weird," Hebbeler said. "We're doing position meetings on Zoom. That allows us to get into film. In terms of the plan, they're constantly in contact with us. The staff has been meeting almost every day. They tell us we'll know first thing once a plan is set in motion."
The Hebbeler household is a little more crowded than usual this time of year. He has two sisters, one in high school and one in college, as well as his parents with him in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
"We didn't bring all of our clothes back from college, because it was so random," he said. "We don't get to see our family much during the year, so it's good to be with them now. There's five of us trapped in this little house.
"Everyone spaces around the house trying to claim their spot. It's kind of funny."
Hebbeler played at Bergan Catholic, a top New Jersey football program, where he played both sides of the ball. He caught 16 passes and made 22 tackles as a senior, and wanted to play fullback at the college level.
But he ended up being recruited by Wake Forest assistant coach for the defense Dave Cohen to play on the defensive line. He moved all over the line his first two years in the program, learning nose tackle, three-technique and the hybrid drop end spot.
He moved to tight end at the start of his redshirt sophomore season a year ago.
"For the past year I've been a tight end," Hebbeler said. "Hopefully this year we'll be able to work on some short yardage or goal line packages where I can get in. I've definitely moved around."
Wait. . .what? So Hebbeler has been coached by Cohen, one of the most vocal coaches on the Wake Forest staff, as well as Lineburg, one of the most laid back and relaxed.
"That question gets asked all the time, because they are the most opposite coaches we have on our staff," Hebbeler said with a laugh. "I have a really good relationship with both. Coach Cohen gave me the opportunity to come here to get my degree and play ACC football.
"I'm forever lucky for him. He gets on kids and yells, which not everybody is used to. But he cares about the players and just wants to get the most out of them."
Though the coaching styles are vastly different, both get results.
"Coach Lineburg just has a completely different approach," Hebbeler said. "He's more laid back and relaxed, but he's one of the best coaches I've ever worked with. He cares about you as a person and as a player. He's checking in on everyone now.
"They definitely have completely different styles, but they're both great. It works for both of them."
Though Hebbeler started his Wake Forest career as a walk-on, he's always felt like he had an even playing field and a fair shake.
"I always feel like I've been one of the guys. I've had a chance to play the last two years, and have started on special teams," he said. "To be a walk-on and beat somebody out, you just have to put your head down and work as hard as possible. The staff wants to play the best guys — the guys who give them the best opportunity to win. From a football standpoint, the coaches are very fair. I don't think there's any difference in the way you're treated."
With two seasons left to make an impact, Hebbeler said it's the relationships he's built at Wake Forest that will be his lasting memory.
"The people I've been able to meet," he said. "I feel like there are so many members of the team I feel close with. We're all texting and calling each other. I love football. Football wise, being on the kickoff team, it was cool playing against teams like Clemson and Virginia Tech.
"But even more than that, it's the people — guys from so many different walks of life who are friends now. That's a special thing."
It seemed like a pretty standard spring break in Myrtle Beach for Wake Forest football players Connor Hebbeler, Zach Tom, Michael Jurgens and Allan Rappleyea — until it wasn't.
Sporting events started getting canceled and the players were seeing the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic play out by what they were seeing on social media.
"I didn't really have a firm grip on everything that was going on," Hebbeler said. "When we were there, it didn't seem like the craziest thing, but as the days went on it was apparent we needed to head home."
Then Wake Forest announced that spring break was going to be extended for a week and classes were going to move to an online format.
"Made a 12-hour drive home and have been stuck here ever since," Hebbeler said. "I've been working out in my basement as much as possible."
The remainder of the spring semester has been moved online and football spring camp was shut down 10 practices shy of the 15 allowed. There's no Spring Game this season. Hebbeler is hearing from tight end coach Wayne Lineburg nearly every other day.
"It's been so weird," Hebbeler said. "We're doing position meetings on Zoom. That allows us to get into film. In terms of the plan, they're constantly in contact with us. The staff has been meeting almost every day. They tell us we'll know first thing once a plan is set in motion."
The Hebbeler household is a little more crowded than usual this time of year. He has two sisters, one in high school and one in college, as well as his parents with him in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.
"We didn't bring all of our clothes back from college, because it was so random," he said. "We don't get to see our family much during the year, so it's good to be with them now. There's five of us trapped in this little house.
"Everyone spaces around the house trying to claim their spot. It's kind of funny."
Hebbeler played at Bergan Catholic, a top New Jersey football program, where he played both sides of the ball. He caught 16 passes and made 22 tackles as a senior, and wanted to play fullback at the college level.
But he ended up being recruited by Wake Forest assistant coach for the defense Dave Cohen to play on the defensive line. He moved all over the line his first two years in the program, learning nose tackle, three-technique and the hybrid drop end spot.
He moved to tight end at the start of his redshirt sophomore season a year ago.
"For the past year I've been a tight end," Hebbeler said. "Hopefully this year we'll be able to work on some short yardage or goal line packages where I can get in. I've definitely moved around."
Wait. . .what? So Hebbeler has been coached by Cohen, one of the most vocal coaches on the Wake Forest staff, as well as Lineburg, one of the most laid back and relaxed.
"That question gets asked all the time, because they are the most opposite coaches we have on our staff," Hebbeler said with a laugh. "I have a really good relationship with both. Coach Cohen gave me the opportunity to come here to get my degree and play ACC football.
"I'm forever lucky for him. He gets on kids and yells, which not everybody is used to. But he cares about the players and just wants to get the most out of them."
Though the coaching styles are vastly different, both get results.
"Coach Lineburg just has a completely different approach," Hebbeler said. "He's more laid back and relaxed, but he's one of the best coaches I've ever worked with. He cares about you as a person and as a player. He's checking in on everyone now.
"They definitely have completely different styles, but they're both great. It works for both of them."
Though Hebbeler started his Wake Forest career as a walk-on, he's always felt like he had an even playing field and a fair shake.
"I always feel like I've been one of the guys. I've had a chance to play the last two years, and have started on special teams," he said. "To be a walk-on and beat somebody out, you just have to put your head down and work as hard as possible. The staff wants to play the best guys — the guys who give them the best opportunity to win. From a football standpoint, the coaches are very fair. I don't think there's any difference in the way you're treated."
With two seasons left to make an impact, Hebbeler said it's the relationships he's built at Wake Forest that will be his lasting memory.
"The people I've been able to meet," he said. "I feel like there are so many members of the team I feel close with. We're all texting and calling each other. I love football. Football wise, being on the kickoff team, it was cool playing against teams like Clemson and Virginia Tech.
"But even more than that, it's the people — guys from so many different walks of life who are friends now. That's a special thing."
Players Mentioned
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