Name: Benjamin Hall
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 235 lbs.
High school: Kennesaw (GA) North Cobb
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #28
Last year: Hall was a senior in high school (LINK). He ran 61 times for 324 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he caught 9 passes for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 71
Hall is one of the most interesting recruits in the 2023 class. It's baffling to me that he played second fiddle to someone else, but that represents the embarrassment of riches North Cobb had at running back this past season. They had a running back going to the Big Ten champion Michigan Wolverines on a scholarship, but their primary running back was Clemson commit David Eziomume (4-star, #30 RB, #366 overall in 2024). Hall was a 3-star, the #55 running back, and #787 overall in 2023.
(In case you think I'm jealous as a coach of North Cobb having two FBS players at one position . . . you're right. I am jealous.)
When Michigan accepted Hall's commitment, it was a little bit underwhelming and left a lot of people scratching their heads. Why were the Big Ten champions accepting a commitment from a little known player when the Wolverines were on a run of landing Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards, among others, and producing the likes of Hassan Haskins?
Well, Hall was one of the stars of Michigan's spring game and showed some excellent vision and toughness. Despite being 235 pounds, he has quick feet and good lateral agility. Perhaps he won't ever be a superstar because he lacks great speed, but he can be a productive running back at the FBS level. The only thing holding him back right now is that pesky Corum-Edwards combination. Both of them could be picked in the first couple rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, and both of them could be All-Big Ten in 2023. Hall will likely be battling with sophomore C.J. Stokes for the #3 running back role. I think it's a toss-up between the two, but Michigan needs to be ready for the 2024 season when Michigan fans could be looking at a competition between Hall, Stokes, and Cole Cabana as the top backs on the roster.
Prediction: Backup running back
Excited to see what he can do. Should be in line for carries
ReplyDeleteHall is really shifty for such a big back. He's shifty for a little back.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever seen a QB, or any other player for that matter wearing a different colored jersey than the rest of the team. Sure looked like a game as opposed to a scrimmage.
Roanman
Probably won't ever be a stud, but the "vision and toughness" was on full display in spring. Could definitely see the coaches considering this particular RB as 'different'
ReplyDeleteDavid Eziomume is an awful good back. May not quite be a burner, but has definite breakaway speed, some power, doesn't want to fall down and fights. He can also catch the ball, gets lined up at slot and occasionally outside.
ReplyDeleteI think EJ Holland said in an eval of Hall that he was the number three guy. You kind of see it on Eziomume's tape in that there is another kid that gets a lot of snaps ... more than Hall. That kid is a really eager and violent blocker leading a running play. Hall show up a little more on the passes as they keep him in. He is neither as eager blocking nor as violent as the other kid, but in his defense, the other back is faster and feels better at getting out in front of Eziomume.
I still dunno, you know? On Eziomume's tape he looks a little like a kid that isn't happy with his station in life. Which is a completely unfair thing to say without a drip of knowledge regarding what was going on, except for maybe 11 minutes of film.
What is really interesting to me is that his running style has almost nothing to do with his body. He is sincerely interested in making you miss or maybe even more so, setting you up to jump into the wrong gap. Which around here, with all the gaps and seams we scheme for, could make him a stud, and a beloved figure. But you look at him standing there and think that he should be punishing people ... and then some. But his body just doesn't want to run that way at all.
I like him a lot.
Roanman
Forgot. He makes me think of Gordy Bell, only bigger. OK, ok ... also slower.
DeleteMuch bigger actually. Not much slower, Gordy Bell wasn't a burner.
Delete