Alabama coach Nick Saban may see his defense continue dropping quarterbacks at a high rate.
While it returns Rashaan Evans, Christian Miller and Anfernee Jennings as edge rushers, sources have confirmed with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine that sophomore linebacker Terrell Hall is the one to keep an eye on in the upcoming fall. He has been described as “the Crimson Tide’s next Tim Williams.”
“Mark my words, Hall is Tim Williams 2.0,” sources said. “Williams was a freak of nature, but Hall was one of the more freakishly athletic guys I saw all of last season.”
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds, Hall enrolled at Alabama in 2016 as a four-star prospect and one of the nation’s top defensive end targets. After posting 42 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks as a senior at St. John’s High School (Washington, D.C.) in 2015, Hall garnered a No. 47 ranking in the ESPN 300 recruiting database. He was listed as the No. 6 weakside defensive end and top-ranked player in D.C., prior to his arrival at Tuscaloosa. During his freshman season, Hall totaled 11 tackles – including one for loss and a sack.
He would collect two tackles in matchups against Kent State, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Chattanooga, while his sack (-9) came versus the Razorbacks on quarterback Austin Allen.
Signs of Hall’s potential to be special next season surfaced in the Tide’s A-Day game. He did not record a single tackle, however, he was credited with one of the most jaw-dropping plays in the first half. Although he has the body of a defensive end, Hall possesses the leaping abilities of a wide receiver. He elevated at the point, intercepted a pass off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and accelerated downfield for a 60-yard touchdown.
#Pick6 Terrell Hall @_Real24_ #ADay2017 #Espn pic.twitter.com/9ieqC1YJL7
— InsideBamaRecruiting (@RTRnews) April 22, 2017
“He’s just a great player,” sources said. “Hall has raw talent, but can be a force if someone continues to work with him. He is really quick for his size and it shows in practice.”
As for working offensive linemen in practice, sources state there were moments where he made it look easy.
“A lot of times Coach Saban would have the first team offense work against the second team defense,” sources said. “Hall wouldn’t do it a lot, but there were certain times when he moved around offensive tackles like clockwork and nail the quarterback. Dude is a physical freak.”
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
