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Photo of D.J. Hall
Grade
?
  • 6'2" Height
  • 190LBS. Weight

Overview

A clutch receiver with a long, lean frame, DJ Hall was a model of consistency throughout his Alabama career. He was the first player in school history to produce a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons and is only the second player in Tide history to reach that lofty standard.

He set new Alabama career records for receptions (194) and yards receiving (2,923) while his 17 touchdown grabs were one shy of the school's all-time mark.

At Choctaw High School, Hall was a three-time All-State selection. He ranked 44th on the Orlando Sentinel's Top 100 list, adding All-Conference and All-Area honors. Over his final two seasons, he hauled in 70 passes for 1,707 yards and 25 touchdowns. As a senior, he caught 26 passes for 733 yards and 12 scores, adding 44 receptions for 974 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior.

Hall enrolled at Alabama in 2004 and was immediately thrust into the action, starting 10 of 12 games at split end. He finished fourth on the team with 17 receptions for 186 yards (10.9-yard average) and a touchdown, adding four yards on one reverse.

As a sophomore, he started eight of 11 games and was suspended for the Cotton Bowl vs. Texas Tech and 2006 season opener vs. Hawaii for an off-field incident. He still managed to lead the team with 48 catches for 676 yards (14.1-yard average) and five touchdowns. He lost one yard on two punt returns, but picked up 48 yards on a pair of kickoff returns.

Hall caught the attention of the media in 2006, garnering All-Southeastern Conference second-team honors. He started 10 of 12 games, ranking 12th in the nation and third in the league with an average of 88 yards per game receiving. His 62 receptions ranked third on the school's season-record list while his 1,056 yards (17-yard average) set a new Tide annual mark. He had five touchdown grabs and gained 139 yards on seven kickoff returns (19.0 avg), adding 48 yards on six rushing attempts (8.0 avg). His seven 100-yard receiving performances set a single-season Alabama record.

Hall was again named to the All-SEC second-team in 2007. He started 11 of 13 games, serving a half-game suspension for a violation of team rules vs. Louisiana-Monroe. He set a school record with 67 receptions and his 1,005 yards receiving (15-yard average) rank second in Tide annals to his 2006 totals. He scored six times on catches, gained seven yards on a kickoff return and seven yards on two reverses.

In 48 games at Alabama, Hall started 39 times. He holds the school record with 194 receptions for 2,923 yards (15.1-yard average) and 17 touchdowns. He carried the ball nine times for 60 yards (6.7-yard average), lost one yard on two punt returns and totaled 196 yards on 10 kickoff returns (19.6 avg). On 215 touches, he finished his career with 3,177 all-purpose yards, an average of 66.19 all-purpose yards per game.

Analysis

Strengths

Positives: Has a lean frame, but can add at least another 10 pounds of bulk without the additional weight impacting his quickness...Displays good arm length and very tight upper-body muscles and tapered thighs and calves...Classic vertical-type receiver with the valid speed to stretch the field...Shows natural hands and good timing extending for the ball away from his frame...Has the second gear and hip wiggle to elude after the catch...Glider-type of route-runner with the sudden surge off the snap when he gets a clean release to get into his routes...Shows good balance, body control and timed speed to accelerate in and out of his cuts with good precision...Can get to the pass at its high point when he times his leaps...Needs to use his hands better to escape the jam, but will compensate with good head fakes and quick change-of-direction moves...Shows good field awareness during routes, allowing him to find soft spots in the defense...Has improved his ability to generate a strong thrust in attempts to separate and has also improved in making adjustment on routes (mostly in posts and crosses)...When he takes crisp and clean angles, he is much better at gaining separation after the catch. However, when he gets too long-legged, he doesn't come out of his breaks as cleanly...Uses good elusiveness to avoid defenders and get a clean release, as he has gained confidence in running crisp, precise routes to shake coverage, knowing he can stretch the field deep with his speed...Not the type who can get himself between the defender and the ball, but he is adequate at adjusting to catch outside his framework, showing the balance and body control to pluck balls, turn upfield quickly after the catch and pick up extra yards, as he has the loose hips and agility on the move to avoid defenders...When given room, he can run by most opponents and attack the deep secondary...Builds his speed quickly and has the feet and shifty body moves to elude...Creates separation, whether with his straight-line stride or when breaking down to generate a lateral burst...Fluid and flexible with his body control, as he is capable of reaching low for the ball and making adjustments without having to gear down...Has quick stop-and-go action to elude in the open, but can also do an effective job when he uses his weave to escape. Negatives: Has had two off-field issues for which he was suspended; both will need further clarification...Not the type that relishes contact and will shy away from the physicality of going up for the ball in a crowd (failed to get to 41 throws and had 14 others deflected in 2007)...Has adequate field instincts, but needs more than several reps to retain...IQ test score indicates he might have problems digesting a complicated playbook...Type of player that needs to be pushed and monitored and is not a self-starter...Needs to show better maturity on the field and improve his overall work ethic...Lacks true courage in traffic and struggles to get into his routes when facing a physical press...Not as alert to sidelines and boundaries as one would like and has had mental lapses and concentration issues on the field, resulting in quite a few dropped balls or missed opportunities to get to the catchable passes...Gets bounced around too much trying to work back to the quarterback and on underneath routes (looks to have good strength, but fails to utilize it on the playing field, preferring to shy away from contact)...Has good hands, but will revert to body- or double-catching as a crutch...Needs to do a better job of tracking the ball in flight, as he struggles to get his head turned on the ball, especially with his back to the defenders...Will give some effort, but takes only passive swipes in attempts to block at the line of scrimmage and he's more effective cut blocking...Has worked to improve, but because of a lack of strength to escape the jam, he will revert to taking a drop step in his release, at times...Lacks focus to make the circus catch along the sideline and must learn to play with better aggression. Compares To...LAURENT ROBINSON-Atlanta...Like the former Illinois State receiver, Hall's reach for the ball and second gear allow him to separate quickly after the catch. He lacks the courage of Robinson going over the middle of the field, but both are valid vertical threats with good ability to stretch the field. Hall needs to improve his work ethic and mature off the field, as he seems to have a lackadaisical approach to training and practice. When he gets a clean release, he can attack the deep secondary. Yet, even if there is a $100 bill in the middle of the field with his name on it, he will not be found in that area. Hall needs to gain overall strength or show better aggression in beating the press. He looks like Tarzan, but plays like Jane and is not to be relied upon in the clutch. His vertical speed is what impresses scouts most.
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Grade Title Draft (Round) Description
96-100 Future Hall of Famer Top Pick A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played
85-95 Immediate Starter 1st An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter).
70-84 Eventual Starter 2nd-3rd A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position.
50-69 Draftable Player 4th-7th A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential.
20-49 Free Agent UDFA A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body.

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