OL Marcus Hall (official thread)

[HotMic]

Scout $

1/15

By G. Powers at the Ohio State site. Clips of Marcus at the AA Junior combine.

[wadc45]

Bucknuts $

1/21

By BK...talks about his unofficial to OSU this past weekend, his tour of OSU with his father, Melvin Fellows and Melvin's father and says he is also considering Illinois, USC, Florida and Michigan.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

1/24

Ohio Varsity's Mike Parris' breakdown of Hall's strengths, areas of improvement and future outlook.

[Holy Buckeye!]

I know it's still early however, as far as priorities where does Marcus stack up with the 2009 needs for this class? It seems he is quite versatile and has a lot of upside. Just curious because we seem to be looking solid on the O-Line and the DE positions going forward, but a touch thin on the DT spot. Is Marcus being targeted for the DT spot or is it still unknown?

HB

[wadc45]

He is at the top of the board as far as uncommitted prospects are concerned...and is being recruited to play OL.

[CausticMick]

Originally Posted by wadc45

Yes, a sophmore-to-be...

Glenville HS
Cleveland (OH)



Height: 6-4.5
Weight: 285 lbs.
40-Yard: 5.84
Short Shuttle: 5.25
Vertical: 23.0"

According to Gary Housteau of Bucknuts, Marcus showed amazing potential at the All-America combine in San Antonio. Gary also says that he could end up at DE, DT, OG or even TE.

Am I reading that right? 5.84 40?

[jclvd_23]

Quick question for Grad, RB, Wad, or anyone that has seen his video or in person. I haven't had the privilege to see any of his videos as of yet, so how does Marcus stack up against the OLmen we have coming in this year? I've heard RB say he likes him at guard better than tackle, so how would he compare to a Jenkins or Brewster?

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by jclvd_23

Quick question for Grad, RB, Wad, or anyone that has seen his video or in person. I haven't had the privilege to see any of his videos as of yet, so how does Marcus stack up against the OLmen we have coming in this year? I've heard RB say he likes him at guard better than tackle, so how would he compare to a Jenkins or Brewster?

Not as polished as Brew, Shugarts, or Adams...untapped potential like Jenkins.

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by CausticMick

Am I reading that right? 5.84 40?

That number was posted over a year ago...we haven't gotten any udpated info yet but when we do we will update the initial post.

[TheStoicPaisano]

I think this year's 40 was in the 5.5-5.6 range, but that obviously isn't a big concern for o-lineman. To my untrained eye, Hall definitely knows how to use his hands. As a note to the mods: combine times are going to be posted by combine jersey # and not name.

[CoosMeister]

I would say the 40 is a very big concern for an offensive lineman. Obviously you're not going to be seeing 4.5s or 4.6s from a guy that big but the 40 is a measure of first three step quickness so a plodding time means less explosion. I'm sure Hall will be working on this and his hip flexibility a lot. He's a special prospect that could develop in to a star. I can't imagine how good this offensive line is going to be in three years with him, Mewhort, Blankenship, Block O...

[jclvd_23]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Not as polished as Brew, Shugarts, or Adams...untapped potential like Jenkins.

Thank you Grad, that's what I was picking up from the opinions I had read, just wanted to go to the "sources" to confirm.

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by CoosMeister

I would say the 40 is a very big concern for an offensive lineman. Obviously you're not going to be seeing 4.5s or 4.6s from a guy that big but the 40 is a measure of first three step quickness so a plodding time means less explosion. I'm sure Hall will be working on this and his hip flexibility a lot. He's a special prospect that could develop in to a star. I can't imagine how good this offensive line is going to be in three years with him, Mewhort, Blankenship, Block O...

You're both right and wrong in the same post: explosive first step, power and quick footwork are all very important, but a 40 time? 40 yard dashes are straight line sprints. How often do you see an OL sprinting in a straight line? 40 yard dashes are not good metrics to measure OL potential. Game film, camp work, and simulated drills are probably the best ways to judge talent.

[CoosMeister]

I see what you're saying but 40 times are in fact measures of explosive, quick first three steps. They do not measure top speed which is why you see Ginn and Gonzalez running similar times. I agree with you in some sense that game film, camp work, etc. are good ways to judge talent but with a guy like Hall who is SO strong and doesn't necessarily have to use his feet all that much, game film might not always be enough to determine his overall athleticism and potential. I'm obviously not saying a 40 time is the most important thing for a lineman but to discount it is to make a huge mistake. Especially for guys on the interior line.

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by CoosMeister

I see what you're saying but 40 times are in fact measures of explosive, quick first three steps. They do not measure top speed which is why you see Ginn and Gonzalez running similar times. I agree with you in some sense that game film, camp work, etc. are good ways to judge talent but with a guy like Hall who is SO strong and doesn't necessarily have to use his feet all that much, game film might not always be enough to determine his overall athleticism and potential. I'm obviously not saying a 40 time is the most important thing for a lineman but to discount it is to make a huge mistake. Especially for guys on the interior line.

In a 40, the first three steps are buried by the last 7-8. A 300lb 16-17 year-old will usually slow considerably, even if he has extremely explosive first 3 steps. I completely that the initial burst is important, but its lost in a 40. And I agree with your point about Hall, which is part of why grad noted that Hall is raw like Jenkins, rather than polished like the others in the Block O...