It’s been an offseason of change for Derick Hall.
The junior’s first big change was that a new coaching staff came in, including defensive coordinator Derek Mason and defensive line coach Nick Eason.
Hall also was listed at 238 pounds on Auburn’s 2020 roster but is now listed at 251 pounds on the 2021 roster.
“It wasn’t necessarily I think that was something I needed, but it was just something I wanted -- I think it would benefit me and my aspects and my goals for this upcoming year,” Hall said. “So it was a little bigger, little stronger, little faster, little better.”
Not only has Hall added weight, the junior has also changed positions. As a true freshman and sophomore, Hall was a buck linebacker.
Hall combined for 34 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for a loss in 22 games in those first two seasons.
Heading into year three, he has switched over to the EDGE position.
“Uh yeah, it’s completely different,” Hall said. “It’s a lot more drops and stuff like that, so we’re able to put a lot more stuff on film that we’re not used to -- well, that we haven’t had a chance to [have] exposure to, being able to show what we can and can’t do as far as different aspects of the game.”
Hall is not the only Tiger to switch over to the EDGE position as Nick Curtis and Caleb Johnson did so as well, according to Hall.
Currently, Auburn has four players listed on the roster at EDGE, including Hall, Romello Height, Jaren Handy and T.D. Moultry.
“I think it’s pretty significant for us and the defense as a whole with what we’ve got planned,” Hall said. “The guys that are there, everybody taking it on real well. The spring’s gone well so far.”
Hall and the defense have had to deal with adjustments and changes this offseason, but the junior feels that the defense is heading in the right direction.
“We’re capable of anything that we put our mind to,” Hall said. “We have some great guys, some experienced guys. Guys like Smoke, Owen, Zakoby, just guys in the back end and front seven that been there and know what it takes to win, know what it takes to lead a defense. So we just got to move right along, put all our heads together and once we make our mind up, we’re going in the right direction.”
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Jake Weese, senior in journalism with a minor in history, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
