Leon Hall
Encyclopedia
Leon Lastarza Hall is an American football
defensive back
who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals
. He played college football
at the University of Michigan
. Hall was drafted by the Bengals with the 18th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
. Hall is currently considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Hall attended Vista High School where he played wide receiver
and defensive back
. He also played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
.
In his sophomore season, Hall once again played all the Wolverines' games, making nine starts. Hall totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, and recovered two fumbles.
In 2005, Hall started all 12 games on the Michigan schedule, registering 61 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and one recovered fumble. He was named to the All-Big Ten Conference
Second Team.
Hall started all 13 games as a senior in 2006. He intercepted three passes including one against the Notre Dame
and another against the cross-state rival Michigan State
. Hall led the Big Ten in pass breakups with 18, tying Michigan record set by Marlin Jackson
in 2002, and recorded 35 tackles. Hall was a unanimous choice for the All-Big Ten Conference First Team and contended for a number of national awards. He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
, a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award
, and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy
. Hall also was first team AFCA All-America
n.
Hall is Michigan's all-time leader with 43 passes broken up. He is tied for fourth on Michigan's career interception list with 12, and set a school record with an 83-yard fumble return against Northwestern
in 2005.
Conference honors
, Hall was drafted in the first round (18th overall) in the 2007 NFL draft
by the Cincinnati Bengals
. Hall was expected to start alongside Johnathan Joseph
, who was drafted by Cincinnati a year before, and veteran corner Deltha O'Neal
.
, Hall was said to have made a big impact. A big hit on receiver Reggie McNeal
was only one of his three tackles in the 64-minute scrimmage. Sports Illustrated
writer Peter King
said that Hall was going to be an immediate impact rookie in the secondary after watching one of the Bengals' training camps.
In the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens
on Monday Night Football
, Hall had a breakout performance as the starting corner position with four tackles and a fumble recovery. Hall finished the 2007 season as the interception leader with 5, tying a Bengals record for most interceptions recorded in a rookie season. In the 2008 season, Hall continued to improve as he tallied 75 tackles (61 solo), 24 pass break-ups, three interceptions and a touchdown. Hall tied the franchise record by nabbing 3 interceptions came week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns
returning one for a 50-yard touchdown. At season's end, Hall was praised by the Bengals' defensive back coach Kevin Coyle for his improvement .
In 2009, Hall continued to elevate his game as he recorded 71 tackles (58 solo), 2 forced fumbles, 24 pass break-ups and a career-high in interceptions with 6. Late in the season, Sports Illustrated
writer Peter King
called and Hall and Joseph "the best cornerback tandem in the NFL."
After the season, USA Today
named Hall to their annual "All-Joe" team
after he wasn't voted to the Pro Bowl despite his standout play.
On November 8, 2010, Hall's then teammate Terrell Owens gave him the nickname "Mr. Cause-a-fumble."
On September 2, 2011 Hall signed a 4 year contract extension worth $39 Million with $14.1 guaranteed. On November 13, Hall injured his achilles tendon in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
, the following day he was placed on injured reserve.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. Hall was drafted by the Bengals with the 18th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
. Hall is currently considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Hall attended Vista High School where he played wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
and defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
. He also played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
.
College career
As a freshman at Michigan, Leon Hall played in all 13 of his team's games and made three starts. He finished the year with 26 tackles and three interceptions. Hall was a first-team All-American freshman.In his sophomore season, Hall once again played all the Wolverines' games, making nine starts. Hall totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, and recovered two fumbles.
In 2005, Hall started all 12 games on the Michigan schedule, registering 61 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and one recovered fumble. He was named to the All-Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
Second Team.
Hall started all 13 games as a senior in 2006. He intercepted three passes including one against the Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
and another against the cross-state rival Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans football
The Michigan State Spartans football program represents Michigan State University in college football as members of the Big Ten Conference at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level...
. Hall led the Big Ten in pass breakups with 18, tying Michigan record set by Marlin Jackson
Marlin Jackson
-Indianapolis Colts:Jackson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 29th overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. As an NFL rookie he had 52 tackles and one interception. Marlin played mostly in passing situations with one start in 15 games. In his second season, he had 82 tackles and 1...
in 2002, and recorded 35 tackles. Hall was a unanimous choice for the All-Big Ten Conference First Team and contended for a number of national awards. He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
, a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award
Jim Thorpe Award
The Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
, and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy
Lott Trophy
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
. Hall also was first team AFCA All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n.
Hall is Michigan's all-time leader with 43 passes broken up. He is tied for fourth on Michigan's career interception list with 12, and set a school record with an 83-yard fumble return against Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
in 2005.
College awards and honors
National awards- 2003 Freshman All-American first team
- 2006 Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
finalist - 2006 Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986...
finalist - 2006 Lott TrophyLott TrophyThe Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
quarterfinalist
Conference honors
- 2004 All-Big Ten Conference Honorable Mention (coaches and media)
- 2005 All-Big Ten Conference Second Team (coaches and media)
- 2006 All-Big Ten Conference First Team (coaches and media, both unanimous)
2007 NFL Draft
After posting an impressive 40 time of 4.38 seconds at the NFL CombineNFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...
, Hall was drafted in the first round (18th overall) in the 2007 NFL draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
. Hall was expected to start alongside Johnathan Joseph
Johnathan Joseph
Johnathan Joseph is an American football cornerback with the Houston Texans, drafted 24th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals out of South Carolina.-College career:...
, who was drafted by Cincinnati a year before, and veteran corner Deltha O'Neal
Deltha O'Neal
Deltha Lee O'Neal, III is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the first round as the 15th pick overall in the 2000 NFL Draft, after playing college football at California.A two-time Pro Bowl selection, O'Neal has also been a member...
.
Cincinnati Bengals
On July 29, 2007, Hall was signed by the Bengals to a five-year deal for near $13.6 million overall, with $8.2 million dollars guaranteed. During practice in Georgetown, KentuckyGeorgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
, Hall was said to have made a big impact. A big hit on receiver Reggie McNeal
Reggie McNeal
Reginald Parrish McNeal is a quarterback and wide receiver in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos. He played college football at Texas A&M University.-High school career:...
was only one of his three tackles in the 64-minute scrimmage. Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
writer Peter King
Peter King (sportswriter)
Peter King is an American sportswriter. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated and its Web site, including the weekly multiple-page column Monday Morning Quarterback. He is the author of five books, most notably Inside the Helmet, as well as a TV analyst and reporter...
said that Hall was going to be an immediate impact rookie in the secondary after watching one of the Bengals' training camps.
In the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, Hall had a breakout performance as the starting corner position with four tackles and a fumble recovery. Hall finished the 2007 season as the interception leader with 5, tying a Bengals record for most interceptions recorded in a rookie season. In the 2008 season, Hall continued to improve as he tallied 75 tackles (61 solo), 24 pass break-ups, three interceptions and a touchdown. Hall tied the franchise record by nabbing 3 interceptions came week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
returning one for a 50-yard touchdown. At season's end, Hall was praised by the Bengals' defensive back coach Kevin Coyle for his improvement .
In 2009, Hall continued to elevate his game as he recorded 71 tackles (58 solo), 2 forced fumbles, 24 pass break-ups and a career-high in interceptions with 6. Late in the season, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
writer Peter King
Peter King (sportswriter)
Peter King is an American sportswriter. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated and its Web site, including the weekly multiple-page column Monday Morning Quarterback. He is the author of five books, most notably Inside the Helmet, as well as a TV analyst and reporter...
called and Hall and Joseph "the best cornerback tandem in the NFL."
After the season, USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
named Hall to their annual "All-Joe" team
USA Today All-Joe Team
The USA Today All-Joe team is an annual selection of National Football League players and coaches deemed hard workers and over-achievers that may be overlooked by the biased media...
after he wasn't voted to the Pro Bowl despite his standout play.
On November 8, 2010, Hall's then teammate Terrell Owens gave him the nickname "Mr. Cause-a-fumble."
On September 2, 2011 Hall signed a 4 year contract extension worth $39 Million with $14.1 guaranteed. On November 13, Hall injured his achilles tendon in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, the following day he was placed on injured reserve.