http://www.theozone.net/football/2006/summerconditioning/royhall.htm
Football Big Roy Hall Prepping for Big Senior Season By John Porentas
It's crunch time for Roy Hall.
OSU wide receiver Roy Hall has had one of those careers at Ohio State. He has played behind the likes of Michael Jenkins, Drew Carter, Chris Gamble, Santonio Holmes, Anthony Gonzalez and Ted Ginn Jr. Hall is now in his fifth season as a Buckeye, and it's now or never for the big wideout from Cleveland. Hall could be bitter about his lack of time in the limelight over his first four years at OSU. He's anything but.
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"It has been a matter for me of being patient and understanding the situations and scenarios. I really feel like this year I'm going to have an opportunity to shine a little bit," Hall said.
Hall is a talent, but has simply been behind some really great talent over the past four years. At 6-3, he is a big target, and he has the kind of body that would make some linebackers and fullbacks envious.
"I'm about 235, between 230 and 235 depending on the day," Hall said.
"Sometimes people wonder if that's too big for a receiver, but I don't gain weight on purpose. I go in there and lift and run with the best of the best," Hall said.
Hall's bruiser body has prompted some to speculate that he could play as a devastating tight end, and the OSU coaching staff experimented very briefly with Hall as a running back, but Hall himself is clear about what his position is and takes every precaution possible to make sure that he stays at that position.
"I'm a receiver at heart and I'm always going to be a receiver at heart," he said.
"That's what I do. Being versatile I believe is going to help me in the long run. It never hurts to be able to do multiple things, but I'm a receiver and I can do all the things that receivers do.
"It's never like I'm here running with the linebackers, I'm running with the defensive backs and other receivers. Sometimes I have to watch my weight, because if I eat three times a day every day I'll gain weight that I don't want to have, so sometimes I have to eat maybe twice a day, or have as small breakfast, a huge lunch and maybe a light dinner. If I eat three big meals a day I'll be 245 in no time. I can't have that."
Hall is a lean athlete who, according to OSU strength coach Eric Lichter, has one of the strongest lower bodies on the entire OSU football team.
"I don't have huge calf muscles but my gluts and my hamstrings are very strong. I'm able to take advantage of sometimes," said Hall.
During his career at OSU Hall has been on teams that have been marked by dominating defenses and adequate offenses. The prevailing thought is that this year will be different, with a potent offense taking the field and a young, inexperienced defense that could be vulnerable at times. Hall doesn't quite see it that way. He sees very little to worry about on the OSU defense, including in the secondary where OSU must replace four starters. Hall should know since he he has been going against those young defenders through seven-on-seven drills all summer.
"I think all the DBs are making great strides," said Hall.
"Antonio Smith is doing a great job. He's a name that nobody really knows. He made a lot of big special teams plays last year, but he's stepping up and his confidence is sky-high.
"Malcolm Jenkins is going to be a great corner. At the safety positions I think Nick Patterson and Jamario (O'Neal) and Brandon Mitchell are all doing a great job. I'm not too worried about those guys, and I really feel that going against us every day in practice, if we are supposed to have one of the best offenses in the country, and you put us against our 'somewhat skeptical defense' they should be better by the end of camp," said Hall.
Hall said that there is a second group of young DBs that are already pushing the returners.
"Andre Amos is coming along great," he said.
"He's sneaky. In high school he played receiver and when I first heard his name a year ago I thought he was coming here to play receiver. When he lined up at defensive back, his first couple days in camp last year his technique wasn't that good, but he was so sneaky because he was able to read our routes because he was used to playing receiver.
"Now he has great technique so the receivers have to beat him with their technique, but then you have to watch out for him because he likes to play back a little bit then come underneath you and pick it off. He's doing a great job. They're like triplets, him and Donald Washington and Malcolm Jenkins, they all have the same type of body type. They're all pretty good," said Hall.
Hall thinks the OSU defense will be good enough to help win games when perhaps the offense isn't clicking.
"There are going to be times when our offense is going to struggle. I don't care how good we're supposed to be but there are going to be times when we'll struggle, and there will be times when the defense might give up a big play, but we've got to have each other's back.
"As long as we compliment each other and take care of each other on the field who cares if the offense gives up a big play if the offense is putting up 40 points a game. Or who cares if he offense is only putting up 21 points a game if the defense is holding teams to 12 or 14."
Hall thinks the defense will be good enough to help make his senior season a memorable one. For his part, he is planning on doing what he can to contribute to that end.
"This has to be the year that I show what I can do and I plan on doing that," he said.
