Mike Hall has played his final game as a Buckeye.
The Ohio State defensive tackle is entering the 2024 NFL draft after three years as a Buckeye, he announced Saturday, just hours after OSU’s 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
All praise to the most high pic.twitter.com/LUQ8xyuemn
— (@MichaelHallJr_) December 30, 2023
Even though his redshirt sophomore season didn’t quite live up to expectations as Hall recorded only two tackles for loss all year, the Streetsboro, Ohio native decided to forgo his remaining two years of eligibility and make the jump to the professional ranks.
A third-team All-Big Ten selection for each of his two non-redshirt seasons with the Buckeyes, Hall is projected to be selected between the second and fourth rounds of the 2024 NFL draft.
With Hall’s departure, Ohio State now knows it will need to replace at least one of its top three defensive tackles from this season as it awaits NFL draft decision from fellow third-year Tyleik Williams and fourth-year Ty Hamilton, who split starts with Hall this season at nose tackle.
If Williams and Hamilton stay for the 2024 season, they are likely to be Ohio State’s starting defensive tackles next season. If either of them leaves, the Buckeyes would likely ramp up their pursuit of a transfer defensive tackle; they hosted former Michigan State defensive tackle Derrick Harmon for an official visit earlier this month, though he ultimately opted to exit the portal and stay at Michigan State.
Other returning defensive tackles who are candidates to play increased roles in 2024 include Hero Kanu and Kayden McDonald, who both flashed in limited action during this year’s regular season and could have an opportunity to see more reps against Missouri with Hall opting out. Former Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone will also look to earn a bigger role next season after transferring to Ohio State this past summer while Jason Moore and Will Smith Jr. will look to earn their way into the rotation as second-year Buckeyes after redshirting this year.
Hall becomes the first member of Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class to formally enter the 2024 NFL draft, though wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is a certainty to join him in the draft after opting not to play in the Cotton Bowl. Members of Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class who have NFL draft decisions to make but have expressed that they could come back include Williams, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, left guard Donovan Jackson, defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau and cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock.
