The FCS All-American has an opportunity to start opposite Michigan’s All-American Will Johnson this fall.
After the losses of Rod Moore to injury and D.J. Waller to the transfer portal, the Michigan Wolverines needed help in the secondary. After this past weekend, that help has come in the form of a wave of transfers (four to be exact) to provide rotational depth and experience on the back end.
One of those four players is FCS All-American Aamir Hall, who comes to Ann Arbor by way of Albany. So what can Michigan fans expect from Hall in his final year of eligibility?
Similar to the film study of C.J. Charleston , this analysis will be limited in terms of animation. But from what I have seen, read and heard, here is what you need to know about what the former FC All-American brings to Team 145.
Background
Despite playing for the nationally ranked Mount Saint Joseph High School out of Baltimore, Hall was an unheralded recruit with offers almost exclusively from FCS schools and service academies. Hall played for one of the best high school teams in the country and seemingly slipped through the cracks before committing to Richmond.
In three years at Richmond, Hall developed into a tackling machine, totaling 106 tackles (61 solo), two interceptions and 18 pass breakups. After transferring to Albany, Hall took another leap to earn All-American honors for one of the four best FCS teams in the country. Last season, Hall racked up 57 tackles (37 solo), five interceptions, 13 pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Measurables
Listed at 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, Hall has added nearly 25 pounds since enrolling at Richmond four years ago and will have no problem adapting to the physicality of the Big Ten. Similarly to wide receiver C.J. Charleston — a fellow FCS transfer — Hall is now entering a strength and conditioning program like he has never seen before. Although Hall already possesses ideal size, expect strength and conditioning coach Justin Tress to sharpen his frame around the margins and work on increasing Hall’s speed/explosion.
Albany Scouting
TL;DR Hall’s got that dawg in him.
Hall feels like a player created in a lab to play for Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Hall is a physical corner with elite ball skills and can thrive in both man-to-man and zone concepts. In coverage, Hall possesses a knack for always finding the ball regardless of his positioning and fighting until the whistle. Even when his head isn’t around, he plays the receiver’s hands exceptionally well and manages a hard contest if he can’t force an incompletion or interception.
Furthermore, he is a finisher. Watch Hall work back into the play against Virginia Tech and fight to dislodge the ball at the last moment.
Although Hall doesn’t possess game-breaking speed, he utilizes great instincts to bolster his closing speed and accelerate through contact. Speaking of contact, Hall isn’t just a willing tackler, he appears to relish the opportunity to contribute in run support. But he is far from a downhill missile who flies in just to miss a tackle. Hall understands his role in contain and doesn’t try to be a hero.
In the clip below, watch him break down and square his shoulders, read the ball carrier and attack his outside arm.
Most importantly, Hall has the demeanor and attitude of an elite corner. Hall is a mother f’er on the field. He is not on the field to be your friend or win a sportsmanship award — he wants to hit someone on every play and let them know about it.
Sure, he can get a little handsy at times, but not to a gratuitous degree similar to someone who latches on when they get beat every play. Hall is intentional when he does and does not grab, with the main goal to cause discomfort among pass catchers.
Below, Hall does an excellent jump playing physical, but keeping his feet moving and releasing at the last second so the receiver can still make a play. However, this is a genius play by Hall.
Hall is unable to get his head around so by securing position near his arms, he can better anticipate when the ball is arriving. If it comes early, he gets caught with a penalty, but if it comes on time, he can release and make a play. Either way, his technique is mitigating his chances of allowing a touchdown. Also, everything is pass interference in slow motion, so please spare me the, “Well, actually” emails.
Hall plays defense with the passion of a football player and not someone just looking to show out in seven-on-seven. This shouldn’t be a big deal, but this ferocity is in scarce supply across the country and is imperative for an FCS player to succeed and not play scared coming to the Big Ten.
In terms of weaknesses, we have already touched on his limited top-end speed and penchant for hand fight — which always has some negatives associated — but without much film, it is hard to pinpoint other weaknesses. (Full disclosure, the best tape on YouTube of Hall comes from highlights that he posted from his personal account — add another green check for embracing the tape grind on his own time, at least.)
One could assume he gambles on routes and struggles against faster receivers, but those are merely speculative deductions based on players with similar skillsets. Hall was an All-American last season, and his highlights show why.
Expectations at Michigan
The transition from FCS to FBS is never easy, but Hall possesses what it takes to at least become a quality starter for the Wolverines. Hall has played 2,037 snaps at defensive back in college, which is more than most of his competition at Michigan combined.
Hall is a chip-on-the-shoulder player who is taking on this challenge to go to the NFL. Period. After becoming an All-American at Albany, Hall is not coming to Michigan to be anything less. He will inevitably have some growing pains, but will have the ability to learn from Will Johnson and Martindale as they help him acclimate to this advanced scheme.
But once Hall has his wits about him, he will have an opportunity to become a playmaker for the Wolverines.
