MIKE HALL SHOWING “CRAZY” POTENTIAL AT DEFENSIVE TACKLE AS LARRY JOHNSON EXPECTS “GREAT THINGS” FROM THE REDSHIRT FRESHMAN
Mike Hall didn’t see the field much last season. That’s about to change.
Playing in just 35 snaps across four games as a true freshman, the 53rd-ranked high school recruit in the 2021 class took a redshirt year as he adjusted to the next level. Ahead of his second season in Columbus, it appears Hall has adjusted plenty.
Make no mistake, Hall won’t be thrust into increased playing time out of necessity. The opportunities he receives this season will be hard-earned, given the talent backed up in Larry Johnson’s defensive line room. But by all accounts, Hall looks primed to make the most of whatever chances he sees in 2022 as he continues to impress coaches and teammates during the preseason.
“I always laugh when Mike Hall goes out there as a three. I mean, come on dude,” Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said Monday after practice. “Geez, that's as good a three as I ever saw in my life. He ain't no three.”
Asked Tuesday why Hall is on the third-string defensive line, Johnson nearly cut a reporter off before he could finish the question.
“Well he's not with the threes. That was just in jest, I think. You got to read what he was saying,” Johnson said. “He has been a three to start out because of the guys (in front of him on the depth chart), but he's no longer in the threes. Mike's worked with the ones and twos and he's got a chance to do something real special. He's had a great camp. He's had a great camp for us, he really has. He's come out, he's really gotten stronger and he's gotten bigger. He's fast, he's athletic and we're hoping for great things for Mike, we really are.”
The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Ohio native possesses the versatility to play either tackle position for the Buckeyes, and Johnson said he’s used Hall at both spots in fall camp as Ohio State tries to find a place for him in the rotation.
Johnson compared Hall to three previous starting Ohio State nose tackles on Tuesday, and said creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks may be his most natural gift.
“I think his biggest asset is he can rush the passer. I mean he's really got quick hands, quick body. We can move him at the three-technique and he can rush from there at some times,” Johnson said. “So we've got to plan how we're going to use him, but I think he has a little bit of (DaVon Hamilton and Tommy Togiai in him). He's really quick off the line of scrimmage. Scary in space when he's in short space, small areas where can get off the ball. I think that's huge, a little bit BB (Landers) like, but stronger. But he also brings some pass rush technique that I think is critical.”
“MIKE, HIS POTENTIAL IS CRAZY. HE’S LEARNING. LAST YEAR HE WAS JUST TRYING TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY COLLEGE FOOTBALL, YOU KNOW? BUT THIS YEAR, YOU CAN SEE IT IN PRACTICE. MIKE IS DIFFERENT.”– TYLEIK WILLIAMS ON MIKE HALL
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