[Buckskin86]

Olu Hall

remember him??

UVa recruit Hall to enroll at Hargrave


By Jay Jenkins / Daily Progress staff writer
July 7, 2004


Two weeks ago, Olu Hall said that redshirting his freshman year at Virginia would not be an option.

Hall was right - kind of.

On Tuesday, Olu Hall’s mother confirmed that her son did not qualify to play this year as a freshman at Virginia and that he will enroll this fall at Hargrave Military Academy.

“Olu will be going to Hargrave,” Hall’s mother said on Tuesday. “He talked to Coach [Robert Prunty] at Hargrave and it seems like we have known him for a long time just like [Virginia coach] Al Golden. I know there is a plan for Olu and it’s going to work out fine.”

Hall, who was rated a four-star recruit by Rivals, was the top prospect in the Commonwealth this season and was expected to fight for playing time at outside linebacker this year in UVa’s 3-4 defense.

In high school, Hall played defensive end. During his senior season, he made 93 tackles and had 11 quarterback sacks.

Hall becomes the third straight top-ranked player in the state to attend Hargrave. Ahmad Brooks and Phillip Brown, a pair of Cavaliers, attended HMS in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

Hall’s mother also said that the family is approaching the situation as “a blessing. It’s a blessing in disguise. I am very honored that they accepted him [at Hargrave].”

Hall’s mother said that she is certain that her son will not waver on his decision to attend UVa. She said that the UVa coaches have supported her son and the family throughout the process.

“They still are [supporting us]. Coach Al Golden and Coach [Mike] London are really supportive of Olu. It is beyond just a game so I am very grateful.”

As far as her son goes, she said that the news was not unsettling:

“He wasn’t really upset … but I can’t speak for him and I don’t like speaking for him. As I told him, ‘God works in mysterious ways.’ I am grateful for whatever reason. The outsiders looking in may say it is a detour but it’s really not. The plans have already been ordered. I told Olu it is not a bad thing at all. He knows it.”

It remains uncertain if Hall will follow in the footsteps of Brooks and enrolls at UVa in time for the spring semester and the Cavaliers’ spring practice period if he qualifies. Hargrave’s policy is to allow students out of their one-year contract after one semester if they have received a letter of acceptance from a college or university.

Hall was unavailable for comment since he is in Hampton preparing for Friday night’s Virginia High School Coaches’ Association football all-star game.