Ohio State’s Michael Hall Jr. Disappears on Game Film

According to nflmockdraftdatabase.com, Ohio State defensive lineman Michael Hall Jr. is ranked on their consensus big board as the No. 33 prospect overall in the 2024 NFL Draft (top of the second-round).

That caught my attention, so I turned on the game film and looked at four games from 2022 to see if he looked the part, and he didn’t.

While Hall was rotated in and out of the games and moved around from defensive tackle (which is his natural position) to end, it didn’t make any difference. I only charted seven plays in these four games where he made a difference in pass-rush situations. The rest of my notes were negative or neutral.

Hall playing the run was 25% positive and 75% negative and neutral.

Needless to say, he’s not a high-round draft pick based on what he put on film.

Situational pass rusher

Hall does not look like a three-down defensive linemen an NFL team can win with.

However, I am projecting him to settle in at the next level as more of a situational pass rusher, who comes in on obvious third-down passing situations. I think that’s his niche. That’s what he shows the most interest in doing.

He flashes quick and high-end hand techniques to slip into gaps. He also flashed a nice-looking fast swim move and one spin move in these four games.

One thing Hall is not – – he’s not naturally explosive at the point of attack when initially hitting into offensive linemen after the snap. He looks slower and methodical often getting into a four-point stance (puts both hands down in the dirt pre-snap). Hall can be a tad slow off the snap and he just does not pack a punch initially. Granted, he battles some, but he gets stalemated easily and easily stalls out.

While the above highlight of Hall is awesome, it’s not the norm, not even close.

Against the run

Once in a while, he shows the ability to come off a block and make a strong wrapping form tackle. At times, he fights through blocks and gets in on an assist.

Too often he was either moved off the ball, blocked to the turf, or plain stalemated against blockers.

The word I am alluding to is “inconsistent.” Hall doesn’t look like a difference maker in this department that can be depended on.

What is his draft day value?

Based on 2022 game film, I wasn’t impressed.

He disappeared for most of the game against Rutgers, what’s he going to look like against the Dolphins and Bills?

The other main issue is his motor. I am not seeing the same level of effort out of Hall on every play and that’s even more concerning than his other limitations.

Hall has a lazy streak, plain and simple.

Maybe some team should take a “flyer” on him after the third-round. However, as Hall of Fame Coach Bill Parcells was quoted as saying in the New York Post, “If they don’t bite when they’re puppies, they won’t bite when they’re dogs.”

#51 Michael Hall Jr. 6-foot-2, 280 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Fourth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 57.1% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 6, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Rutgers (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 19 tackles (9 solo), 4.5 sacks

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Thick framed defensive tackle with long arms and noticeable tightness who gives an inconsistent effort. Gap shooter who lacks the power and explosiveness at the point of attack to bull rush. Plays at a high pad level and therefore stalls out a lot. Subject to his fair share of double teams (even triple teams) which stopped him dead in his tracks. Straight-line pass rusher who misses if the quarterback moves out of the way. If he wins, it’s with moves and athleticism and most of all effort. Against the run occasionally shoots a gap and ends up at the right place at the right time or comes off a block to make an occasional tackle or assist, but not often enough. Struggles to disengage and beat blockers to the ball carrier.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Consistent motor pass rushing?

2. Improved sack production vs. 2022?

3. Playing at a lower pad level pass rushing?

4. Consistency defending the run?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.