MIKE HALL SIGNS FREE AGENT DEAL WITH THE NFL's WASHINGTON REDSKINS

 
Posted 04-24-04

1999 Tehachapi Alum Michael Hall, a 2003 Graduate of Illinois University, got the call of a lifetime...a chance to play in the NFL for the Washington Redskins

It seems as if Michael Hall can't seem to get away for representing Native Americans as a logo for prospective football teams....contributing with a stellar career with the Warriors, the Fighting Illini, and now...

possibly the Washington Redskins.

Michael Hall got the invite from the Redskin coaching staff after trying out for the club's annual mini-camp a few weeks ago, and will vie for an elusive spot in the NFL in one of the most coveted positions at cornerback.  Hall received word that he would join the team for training camp the same day that the Redskins announced that they signed Darnerien McCants to a three-year, 4.5 million dollar contract. 

The Redskins are expected to hold training camp later this summer in the Redskins Park Facility in Ashburn, Virginia.

Washington has made some noticeable noise this off-season in free agency, with the highlight being trading away pro-bowl defensive back Champ Bailey for the acquisition of Denver runningback Clinton Portis, which may help Hall's cause to land a spot on Washington's 52-man roster this fall with Bailey's departure...but the competition will still be very stiff.

The Redskins also beefed up an already talent ridden arsenal with the signing of New York Giant free agent Michael Barrow, Philadelphia wide receiver James Thrash, and Jacksonville QB Mark Burnell.  Coupling all this with the hiring of legendary Head Coach Joe Gibbs, the Redskins are now serious contenders to make a run in the playoffs in 2005.

In Hall's competition class, Washington also signed in the off-season talented former Ohio State Buckeye and Seattle Seahawk Shawn Springs (who is injury prone) while also having a future all-pro in the wings in Fred Smoot currently on the roster.  These two players are probably locks at starting for the Redskins, but a two-month long training camp and pre-season games can say a lot for Hall's potential to move up in the rankings.  Other cornerbacks that Washington has on their roster include Rashad Bauman (Oregon), Ralph Brown (Nebraska), Walt Harris (Mississippi State), Ade Jimoh (Utah State), Andre Lott (Tennessee), and Ifeanyi Ohalete (USC).

In High School, Hall posted 46 receptions overall in the 1997 and 1998 seasons collectively, with 1,097 total yards and 12 touchdowns, good for All-South Sequoia League first team honors both years at wide receiver. 

“Everyone at Tehachapi was extremely proud of Mike and the accomplishments that he achieved after high school,” said a prideful Warrior Coach Steve Denman. “To have a guy like Mike do so well in Tehachapi, junior college, and the University of Illinois…that just says a lot for the kind of character that this young man has.”

Hall's first two seasons of collegiate eligibility was at Bakersfield College, Hall was one of the most decorated defensive backs ever to wear red and white, earning All-WSC (Western State Conference) and National All-America honors at his position, picking off 15 passes from Renegade opponents during the 1999-2000 seasons, while also logging in 57 tackles his second year. In the 2000 season, Hall was also selected as most valuable player of the team while registering defensive most valuable player honors in the Potato Bowl.

At the University of Illinois, Hall was a solid vocal leader and outstanding cornerback, having to fend off the passing attacks of the likes of Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana in the Big Ten Conference. Hall would finish fourth on the team in 2001 with 11 pass deflections, while also recording his first D-I collegiate interception against Minnesota in October of that year. His first start of his career came against Louisville, where he registered five tackles against the Cardinals.  In his final season of collegiate eligibility in 2002, the Fighting Illini benefited from two Hall interceptions, which led the entire team in his final season. Hall was also fourth on the team with 55 tackles, including two for a loss, while highlighting his career with a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Southern Mississippi University the second week of the 2002 season.

Hall is the second player in the last two years to receive a training camp invite to an NFL team, with the first being Rodney Michael last season with the Indianapolis Colts.

The recognition itself to join an NFL team to training camp is exciting, but Hall does have the distinction of possibly becoming the first player to record game time in the NFL since Duane Pettitt, who played for the San Diego Chargers in 1987.

In the spring of 2003, Hall told the Tehachapi News that, "For me personally, college is over, but I’m still going to keep going strong and fight for opportunities,”

 “People will always say that you can’t do this or that…but I never bought into that line of thinking. I’m going to keep going strong.”

After an opportunity to go to training camp for the Redskins, it looks as if Hall is holding true to his word.

Michael Hall (#8) guides his team out of the gate during a contest for Illinois University in the fall of 2002.

Steve Denman and Michael Hall pose for a picture after Hall's visit to his "ol stomping grounds" back in 2001.

thswarriors.com Note:  Mike Hall has been a frequent visitor to this site, saying in a recent visit in the guestbook that his best Warrior memory was beating Garces in '97 en route to a a championship.

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Have some great memories of the 2003 CIF Championship for the Warriors?  If you would like to hear a sound bite on Steve Denman’s victory speech you can do so by clicking on the link below.  It’s a fairly big file, and you will need to install realplayer on your machine to hear it.  As an added bonus, I've also added an electrifying run that Gary Evans made against BHS in the 2001 season...enjoy! 2003 Season:  Steve Denman's CIF Championship Speech (1.07MB) 2001 Season:  Gary Evans 68 Yd. TD Run vs BHS (577k) To hear/view files, follow link below to download realplayer

Still much more Tehachapi Warrior action to come as the year wears on...and don't forget about spring ball coming up and the Golden State Wing-T camp coming in late June, the highlight of the next weekly warrior.  Stay tuned, and GO WARRIORS!