Gulfport alum Derick Hall relishes Senior Bowl experience
Gulfport alum Derick Hall improved his NFL draft stock more than almost anyone this weekend in Mobile and that’s without even playing in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Already more than four years since Derick Hall’s National Signing Day with Auburn University, the former Gulfport Admiral showing how far he’s come in a short amount of time at the Senior Bowl. “Really enjoyed the experience, man. It’s one of a kind being down here, having an opportunity to be coached by the best and also playing against the best, so can’t ask for much more than that. It’s really been a great week.”
Hall concluded his great week in street clothes after an impressive showing throughout Senior Bowl practice, checking in at number eight in the 10 winners of the Senior Bowl, according to the Draft Scout’s Matt Miller.
Despite being held out of the game, Hall tells News 25 he’s proud of what he’s already put on film and on the scale, measuring in at 6’3” and a-half and 241 pounds. “Came out the first three days, really put my best foot forward. I got some really good feedback on some things I really need to work on, and I got some really good feedback on the things that I do really well, so I feel like I came in, I killed the interviews, man. I came out. I showed what I could do as far as being stout in the run and my ability to pass rush.”
Hall says the main thing he wanted to show the scouts is that he can dominate just like he did at Auburn, recording 15-and-a-half sacks over his last two seasons.
Declaring for the NFL Draft was certainly an option last year, but now a college graduate, Hall made good on his decision to return for his last ride as a senior. “The biggest thing for me was just showing that love for Auburn. Auburn has done a lot for me. I mean I’ll forever be indebted to their program, to their institution, for the way that they helped me change the whole trajectory of my life and be able to play football at the top tier level like the SEC West. I mean, man, that’s as good as it gets, so I’ll forever be indebted to their university. And the biggest thing, man, for me, was the education, so I’m all set.”
Now less than three months until Draft Day, Hall is looking at a possible first round selection, second at the latest, going number 27 overall in the latest mock draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
Until mock becomes reality, Hall staying on his grind down the road at Exos in Pensacola. “Just really finishing up pre-draft training, get down to the Combine, really show them what I can do, and then after that waiting on the 30 visits and then obviously draft day, so I’m looking forward to it, man. It’s going around pretty quick, so it’s coming fast.”
Still not as fast as Hall comes at opposing quarterbacks as one of the best pass rushers in the 2023 draft class. Once an Under Armor All-American hailing from Gulfport High School, now on the verge of saying ‘momma, I made it.’ “(What’s the first thing you’re going to buy Mom whenever you get drafted?) Whatever she wants. She’s always sacrificed a lot for me. I mean she’s always done whatever she could to put me in the best position possible to be successful, so I kind of feel like it’s the least I could do to be able to have the opportunity to do something for her.”
“Just the whole community, the whole Gulf Coast, I just want to say thank you to Admiral nation, Bayou View, Pass Road, I mean just from bottom up to top, the whole entire Gulfport School District, I just want to say thank you for the opportunity. It’s been a blessing and it’s definitely helped to get me where I am today, and always War Eagle.”
You can catch the first day of the NFL Draft on April 27th to see if Hall hears his name
