Scouting Report: Michael Hall Jr. (IDL) - Ohio State
Sales Pitch: "Disruptive defensive lineman with long arms and quick hands. Has less than ideal weight and inconsistencies against the run but his physical tools at only 20 years old have plus starter upside as an even front 3T."
Athletic Profile
Height: 6’ 2 3/4”
Weight: 299 lbs
Arm Length: 33 1/2”
Hand Size: 10”
40 Yard Dash: 4.75
10 Yard Split: 1.65
Vertical: 33”
Broad Jump: 9’ 3”
Short Shuttle: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Age: 20
Relative Athletic Score: 9.57 / 10.00
Statistics
Career: 19 TKL - 10 TFL - 6 SK - 48 PR - 29 STOP
2023: 9 TKL - 2 TFL - 1.5 SK - 29 PR - 15 STOP
Strengths
Top tier athlete with excellent movement skills
Experience playing both 3T and 1T
Consistently defeats IOL with speed in 1 on 1s
Quick violent hands with plus block shedding
Upper body strength and core flexibility to turn the corner as a rusher
Long powerful arms that give him control of most reps
Plays with good leverage as a bull rusher
Strength to hold his ground in single gap schemes
Athletic ability to chase down runs to the perimeter
Dynamic swim move as a pass rusher
Weaknesses
Lacks ideal size for the position
Below average block recognition in run defense
Needs to add more counters and secondary moves
Fails to hold up versus double teams in the run game
Inconsistent pad level and base width vs the run
Will run himself out of plays
Summary
Michael Hall Jr. is a disruptive defensive lineman with good athleticism and length. Hall is a former 4-Star recruit from Ohio that played a rotational role at Ohio State, starting 11 of 28 career games, before declaring for the draft at 20 years old. Hall is an excellent athlete for the position. He consistently beats guards 1 on 1 as pass rusher with his burst and agility. Hall shows only a few moves as pass rusher, with the swim move being his favorite, but they are very effective due to his quick violent hands. He has the upper body strength and flexibility to turn the corner after an initial win to create pressure. Hall is primarily a speed rusher but also shows the ability to win with power. He has good strike power to create initial knockback on lineman and the natural leverage and leg drive to push the pocket from the interior. Hall will need to add more moves at the next level if he wants to continue being a plus pass rusher but at 20 years old his foundation is extremely solid with the tools to get even better. Hall wins as a run defender in a similar fashion. His quick first step and strong swim move allow him to get penetration in the backfield. He has the agility to mirror reach blocks and chase down runs to the perimeter. Hall plays with good leverage as a single gap player against base blocks. He the flexibility to take on contact and length to extend and keep his other arm free. At 299 pounds Hall is a bit undersized for a defensive lineman. He can struggle to hold his ground against double teams and combo blocks at the point of attack. He must improve his block recognition in the run game, too often is he caught with a narrow base and high pads, easily getting washed out of the play. Hall projects as a disruptive 3T in an even front that runs a single gap scheme. He has all the physical tools at 20 years old to be a plus pass rusher at the next level. He must improve his pass rush polish and run game technique to reach that level but he has fantasitc upside and should be an early Day 2 pick.