Editor’s Note; This article was previously published on March 30, 2024, on our sister site, Last Word on NFL, as part of their annual draft profile series.
Michael Hall NFL Draft Overview
Weight: 290 pounds
Position: Defensive tackle
School: Ohio State
2024 NFL Draft: Michael Hall Scouting Report
Ohio State has been home to some serious NFL-worthy defensive talent over the years and Michael Hall is next. As a four-star recruit, Hall had high expectations as a member of Larry Johnson’s defensive line. As a freshman, Hall only appeared in four games and logged a pair of tackles. Then, in 2022, he broke out in 2022. He became a regular member of the Buckeyes’ defensive line rotation and amassed 19 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and recovered a fumble.
Last year, he held down the fort with three of next year’s top defensive line talents en route to a 24-tackle, two-tackle for loss, 1.5-sack effort. When Hall was on, he was a game-wrecker. He flashed greatness in crucial spots and was a big part of the defensive turnaround over the last few seasons.
Hall has been compared to the likes of Geno Atkins for his incredible athletic ability at his size. At his Pro Day, Hall ran a 4.75 40, putting him among the elites. He showed a seriously high ceiling in college and can develop into a Pro Bowl-level player.
Strengths
- Very athletic; 9.56 RAS
- 99th percentile speed for defensive tackles
- Had great Senior Bowl workouts
- Very quick off the snap from the interior
- Has utilized both finesse and power techniques well
- Has explosive power and speed to disrupt the quarterback
Weaknesses
- A bit undersized, could get worn down against NFL-sized linemen
- Conditioning has been an issue
- Needs to develop blocking scheme recognition
- Needs work in hand-fighting
- While he shows flashes, he disappears for stretches of games
NFL Comparison: Geno Atkins
Projected Round: Second/Third Round
Best Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom Line on Michael Hall
Hall was a very solid defensive tackle for the Buckeyes over the last two years but he was plagued by inconsistency. On one hand, he was able to take over games, as he did in his first start against Notre Dame in 2022. On the other, there was a feeling that he was sitting out injured because he was a non-factor.
Hall’s ceiling is very, very high. He has shown flashes of brilliance that could develop into a Pro Bowl-level player. He’s incredibly quick off the snap and is able to disrupt the quarterback right off the bat. Against teams like Wisconsin who are known for their offensive line and rushing attack, Hall was able to blow through the line and hold their star running back to having a pedestrian day.
The question with Hall will be development. If he goes to the wrong system or his effort falls off, he could be a candidate to be let go before his rookie contract is up. If he’s developed, Hall could have a Cameron Heyward-like career in terms of longevity. His athleticism alone will be enough for NFL teams to be willing to take a chance on him.
