Derick Hall gives smart take on being selected for the SEC preseason All-Conference team

Auburn edge Derick Hall was recently named as one of the captains for the Tigers for this upcoming season, but was also an All-SEC Preseason First Team selection. Hall was asked about receiving that honor, and gave a unique perspective.

“It’s huge, especially when it comes from coaches across this league. That’s obviously something big and it gives me a lot of information being schemed up and certain things like that. So it’s huge, it’s a great honor but I also know the things I have to do to go out and play to earn that,” Hall said.

Hall certainly deserves and has earned the attention of his peers, recording 52 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles for the Tigers last season. But being a game wrecker comes with extra attention from offenses, and Hall elaborated on how that impacts his game.

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“The biggest thing with that, knowing you’re going to get schemed up knowing you’re going to get double and triple teamed, is just not getting frustrated. I’m going to have plenty of opportunity to make plays, I’m going to have plenty of games this year, plenty of opportunities to go out and show what I can do. So it’s basically just trying to take that next step in my development doing the small things and don’t get frustrated when things like that happen, just keep continuing to play and go out and help this team get better,” Hall said.

Hall has only improved his game year after year, as he now gardeners the attention of two to three blockers on any given game day. As he looks to take another step in the right direction this season, he understands his individual improvement is as always crucial, but is more concerned with elevating the entire Tiger’s team to the next level.

“Just taking the next step is essential in ball, if you’re not taking the next step you’re only going backwards, so just trying to take that next step every day and it’s really done by just diligent, hard work. Dirty, hard work in the dark is what Shep told us and just coming in every day and being consistent is huge,” Hall said. “Just taking the next step going into this year obviously like y’all asked before, I don’t really have that many personal goals, a lot of people mention the sack record, yes that’s something I want to do but this program is more important. So just trying to help this program take that next step and get back to what Auburn used to be is the biggest thing for me.”