Michael Hall Jr. Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Rick Osentoski/USA Today Sports)

School: Ohio State

Class: Junior

HT: 6’2

WT: 280 lbs

Sideline Prospect Ranking: #37

Background: Michael Hall Jr. is an Ohio product and was a fringe 5-star prospect in high school. Hall is from Streetsboro, Ohio and attended Streetsboro High School. Streetsboro was no powerhouse in the world of Ohio high school football, but Hall’s stint there really helped to turn the program around. As a junior, Hall was able to lead Streetsboro to its first ever playoff victory. Hall definitely would have been a higher ranked recruit had he not been sidelined with injuries for most of his senior season of high school. Hall had a wide variety of schools offer him a scholarship, but his commitment really came down to Ohio State, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh. Obviously, Hall chose Ohio State and it turned out to be the correct decision.

College: Hall redshirted as a true freshman in 2021, so 2022 was his first collegiate experience. Mihael showed flashes of dominance in big games against Notre Dame and Michigan State while also leading the team in total tackles for loss on the season. Michael had a career-high 24 tackles in 2023. Hall needs to focus on being able to put up more consistent production for an entire season.

Strengths: Michael Hall is a daunting 3-technique with long arms and a relentless motor. His legs never stop churning and he is always giving everything he has on every rep. He fills gaps well and contains the run on obvious running downs but he is also an effective pass rusher on the interior. While his teammates on the edge can get to the quarterback, he acts as a safety blanket in terms of pressure, a reliable backup option. Often disrupting the pocket and getting into the lap of the quarterback. Hall is a physically dominating defensive tackle and he will do everything he can to impose his will on every rep. Physicality is an easily translatable trait to the NFL, especially for this position. He plays at a good pad level and takes leverage away from the opposing player.

Weaknesses: Hall has to work on technique. His physicality needs to be used much more efficiently. He is physical just to be physical but he is not always as effective as he could be. He seems to disappear on the tape at times. He does not make as many splash plays as you may expect given his profile.

Conclusion: Michael Hall Jr. will be an effective player right out of the gate. He will take some time to reach his full potential, but he has all of the tools to be one of the best at his position in the NFL.

Scheme Fit: 4-3 Stunt Heavy

Ideal Role: 3-tech

Best Team Fits: SEA, LAC, MIN

Player Comparison: Christian Wilkins

Player Grade: 84.8