P.J. Hall: Tulane Football’s Air Marshall

NEW ORLEANS – Beads get thrown around New Orleans every February, but the Tulane secondary has been breaking them out every week this fall. Every time the Olive and Blue force a turnover, one player wears the turnover beads on the sideline. The Green Wave defensive backs have forced opponents into six interceptions this season and senior P.J. Hall is one of the main reasons for this.

Although Hall’s stats don’t jump off the page, the intangibles he brings to the field set the tone for the Olive and Blue defense.

“I’ll tell you what, P.J. is smart,” secondary coach J.J. McCleskey said. “When you have somebody who is intelligent and who has played as many games as P.J. has, it makes a major difference. P.J. can get guys lined up. He can play every position in the secondary and I mean that. He just does a great job and he’s a great guy.”

The Hoover, Alabama, native flies around the field and forces opposing quarterbacks to know where he is at all times. He has racked up 22 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one interception on the season. Hall returned his lone interception for a touchdown against Missouri State and led the Green Wave defense with nine tackles in the win at Army.

“P.J. Hall is probably the smartest defensive player we have,” junior defensive end Patrick Johnson said. “He knows the playbook like the back of his hand, so having him back there makes everything easier. He does a great job and makes it easier for us to just play fast at defensive line.”

Hall sets up the defense for every play and puts his teammates in position to make plays.

“He takes control of the defense,” sophomore safety Larry Brooks said. “He lines the defense up because that’s the safety’s job. He makes sure everyone knows what they are doing, and he communicates very well.”

Hall’s leadership has helped the Green Wave defense keep two opponents, Missouri State and Army, under 200 yards passing and every team under 300 yards through the air. The team has also broken up 19 passes on the season. This no fly zone has helped the defensive line succeed as well.

“They’re incredible guys out there,” Johnson said. “They’re fast and they fly around to the ball. They bring a lot of energy every single day. Having them behind me, I just like to do my part and so does the defensive line of just getting to the quarterback to help them out and succeed back there.”

This style of complimentary football is the reason for Tulane’s defensive success this season.

“I think it is important that all the facets of each unit can play well together,” McCleskey said. “If we’re covering guys and they’re rushing the passer, it only makes the defense better. You have to be able to play complimentary football and I think that’s what we’re doing. I think at this stage we can do a lot better, but we are playing complimentary football with all three phases of the defense”

Hall and the rest of the Green Wave will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 12, at 2:45 p.m. taking on UConn in Yulman Stadium.

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