Scarlet Sunrise: Mike Hall Jr. lands in second round of latest ESPN mock draft

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Mike Hall Jr. lands in second round of latest ESPN mock draft

With the Senior Bowl now in the rear view mirror, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller released a new two-round mock draft, which factors in the biggest risers from the pre-draft all-star event in Mobile, Alabama.

One of those risers is Mike Hall Jr.

The former Ohio State defensive tackle landed in the second round of Miller’s mock. Actually, he rounds out the two-round projection at No. 64 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here’s why Miller has Hall heading to the Chiefs:

“Chris Jones’ future in Kansas City is unclear, with the star defensive tackle set to get a big contract in free agency. And because cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is also a free agent, the Chiefs have some big decisions ahead — but re-signing Sneed and drafting to replace Jones is the most likely scenario. Hall had a dominant Senior Bowl week, showcasing burst and first-step quickness that is rarely seen from a college tackle. He’s undersized at 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds, but the Chiefs are desperate for an inside rusher, and Hall excels there.”

Matt Miller, ESPN

Hall was voted the top National team defensive lineman of the week at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t play in Saturday’s game, but he didn’t have to — he already put on tape everything Miller described above.

Hall was third among Ohio State defenders in pressures generated (29) this past season, according to Pro Football Focus. The Streetsboro, Ohio, native finished 2023 with a career-high 24 total tackles but only 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. The year before, though, he had 7.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.

It’s important to note that Ohio State hasn’t had a defensive player taken in the first two rounds of the draft either of the last two years. That streak was bound to end this time around given the Buckeyes had one of the top defenses in the country in 2023.

Hall could be the one to do it if Miller’s projection holds up.

NOTE: Superstar wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is still projected to be picked by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 4 overall selection.

Film Room: Exploring how Ohio State could use Quinshon Judkins

Ohio State added another star in its backfield last month with the transfer of Ole Miss standout Quinshon Judkins.

Judkins expressed how much he likes watching Jahmyr Gibbs, first when Gibbs was coached by now-Buckeyes offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien at Alabama and then in 2023 when Gibbs was with the Detroit Lions at the NFL level.

So Lettermen Row wound back the tape, looked at Gibbs’ skill set and evaluated if Judkins can fit that versatile role for Ohio State next season.

Check it out here.

Three questions for Buckeyes as winter workouts heat up

Winter workouts are ramping up at Ohio State, and Lettermen Row has three questions facing the program as February continues.

The elephant in the room is what will head coach Ryan Day do if O’Brien leaves his OC post for the head coaching job at Boston College. But there’s more to explore than just that.

We get into it here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 207 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 298 days

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