Determination turns into full ride scholarship for Jake Hall

Exclusive interview with Arkansas Razorback 2014 signee Jake Hall

 

The Arkansas Razorbacks may have found a diamond in the rough in their own backyard in defensive end Jake Hall.

Springdale, Arkansas standout Jake Hall turned slight interest from college coaches in the Midwest and Southeast region into a full ride scholarship at the University of Arkansas. The offer did not come easy but came by showing hard work and determination.

The 6-foot 4-inch run stopper was projected to be an offensive lineman at the next level after weighing in at 250 pounds as a junior. Determined to play defensive end at the next level Hall took his future into his own hands.

Hall commented on how he transformed his body into a SEC ready defensive end stating, “As a junior I was being recruited by the Razorbacks as an offensive lineman. In the off-season I would wake up at 5 a.m., workout for two hours doing Crossfit, then workout with my teammates for two more hours dropping my weight from 250 to 230.”

“During Arkansas’ summer camp I showed the coaches how I had changed my body.”

The Razorback coaching staff continued to recruit the Har-Ber High School product with the coaches telling Hall, “They liked how I came to the game, my pursuit, and how I gave everything I had every play.”

Joining a roster full of talented defensive ends already on campus has not discouraged Hall. The opportunity to compete against Brandon Lewis, JaMichael Winston, Tevin Beanum, and Deatrich Wise has seemingly fueled his motivation.

Since Hall committed to the Hogs on October 27, 2013 he has taken his conditioning to another level ready to make an impact once on the Arkansas campus. “I’m getting stronger and faster. I’ve gained weight, up to 255, all good weight. I do a lot of lifting and speed work based on recommendations from Coach Herb (Arkansas strength coach Ben Herbert).”

Har-Ber’s season ended in the second round of the playoffs to Conway. When asked about his team’s chances next year Hall said, “They’re losing a lot of seniors but the junior class will be really strong, end up really good.”

When asked who high school football fans and college coaches should keep an eye on from next year’s team Hall said defensive tackle Ricky Dobbins (6’2”, 320 lbs) and his little brother Sam, also a defensive end, were just a couple of the many difference makers taking the field for his soon to be alma mater next season.

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 94 Jake Hall.