Ohio State Buckeyes Defensive Lineman Skyrocketing Up the 2024 Draft Board after Impressive Pro Day

Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. did not test at the combine but performed very well at his pro day yesterday. He ran 4.76-4.78 (multiple NFL scouts’ hand time) in the 40-yard dash and weighs 299 pounds, which puts him with FSU’s Braden Fiske as the fastest IDL in this year’s draft class.

Michael was dealing with a hamstring injury during the combine, so he opted out of testing but did interviews and met with teams.

Hall Jr. only had 24 tackles this past season with 1.5 sacks. Still, as an interior defensive lineman in Ohio State’s scheme, he played a vital role in their overall improvement from the past season.

Ohio State Buckeyes Defensive Tackle Opts into NFL Draft

Michael Hall Jr. states family as the main reason to try his luck in the NFL. Michael Hall Jr. became a father in September and wants to provide for his family.

According to Yahoo Sports, it was tempting for Mike Hall Jr. to stay for his senior season with most of the underclassmen returning, but as important as OSU’s brotherhood is to the defensive tackle, fatherhood means more.

On Sept. 15, Hall became a dad to Michael Hall III, nicknamed Trey. The urgency to provide for his family caused Hall to declare for the NFL draft.

“Those guys made their decision after I made my decision,” Hall said at the NFL combine. “I wish those guys the best. I love my brothers to death. But I had to do what was best for Mike Hall III.”

Michael Hall Jr. Projection

Hall Jr. was projected in the range of 70-100 for prospects in this year’s draft. He was slated to fall in the third to fourth-round draft range. With his impressive Pro Day numbers, he hopes those numbers climb into the second-round range.

According to Bleacher Report, Michael was a versatile defender who played up and down the defensive line for Ohio State. He’d line up as wide as a defensive end and as far inside as a 1-technique or shaded on the center as a nose tackle. That resulted from his blend of strength and athletic ability for his size.

Hall has the get-off, agility, and footwork to get penetration when slanting and has shown the strength to bench-press offensive linemen and get an extension when taking on blocks straight up. He also has little to no issues getting off blocks, displaying the strength and violence to shed and a nice arm-over move to escape.

Some scouts already have Hall Jr. as a top-50 always-shows player. He should get noticed by a few more now.

Whatever team Michael joins, he will be happy to take on the responsibility of being an NFL player and a father.

Interested in more articles like this?