Mac Hippenhammer, a redshirt senior and wide receiver for the Miami University RedHawks, said he is very excited about where his last college football game is going to be played and wants to ride off into the sunset with a win Dec. 16.

As the season draws to a close, his focus is on beating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the “Hometown Lenders Bahamas Bowl,” then the 2023 NFL Draft. 

“I hope to have a productive game, but I really want to do whatever I can to help us win,” Hippenhammer said. “I don’t think anyone wants to go to the Bahamas and lose.”

When he initially started his career as a student-athlete at Penn State University, it was to play both baseball and football. 

“Things got a little confusing at Penn State because the football coaches wanted me to themselves. They didn’t want me to split time, but I still wanted to play baseball,” said Hippenhammer, who entered the transfer portal after two seasons at Penn State. “Miami provided me with the opportunity to play both sports, and I was excited to do so, even though I played one more year of baseball.”

Although the RedHawks switched quarterbacks three times this season, that hasn’t stopped Hippenhammer from hauling 52 receptions for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Backup quarterback Aveon Smith said he loves Hippenhammer’s adaptability.

“The best part of playing with Mac is that he just goes with the flow of things, and it is easy to get on the same page as him,” Smith said. “He works hard each and every day and is very talented.”

Hippenhammer said he plans to pursue a career in the NFL once this season ends. He will hire an agent and take a trip with his family to relax and reset before training for Pro Day and the 2023 NFL Combine.

“I am going to find somewhere to train this offseason and prepare as best as I can for any invites I may get,” he said. “I would be extremely grateful for any opportunity.” 

Miami Wide Receiver Coach Myles White said it was a pleasure to coach Hippenhammer for the past eight months. 

“Mac is confident in who he is, has a big heart and cares for his teammates,” White said. “He is a fluid route runner, has a knack for slipping behind the defense and judges the ball well. He will make the most of any NFL opportunity he gets.”

Hippenhammer graduated from Miami in January 2022 with a degree in sociology and a minor in criminal justice. He said that his alternate career goal is to work for a federal law enforcement agency.