Mike Hall Jr. Bio
Michael Hall Jr., commonly known as Mike Hall Jr., is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 13, 2003, in Cleveland, Ohio, he developed into a top college prospect at Benedictine High School before starring at Ohio State. The Cleveland Browns selected him in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft, marking him as one of the most highly touted defensive linemen of his draft class.
Early Life and Background
Michael Hall Jr. was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised across the Cleveland metropolitan area, spending time in Garfield Heights, Ohio, and Streetsboro, Ohio. He attended Benedictine High School in Cleveland and also spent time at Streetsboro High School, a period that helped him build the foundation for his football career.
As a junior at the high school level, Hall recorded 72 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and five sacks, numbers that established him as a premier defensive line prospect. By his senior year in 2020, recruiting analysts rated him as the nation’s No. 54 overall player and a four-star defensive tackle. That attention translated into scholarship offers from programs including Cincinnati, Maryland, and Penn State, but Hall ultimately committed to Ohio State to continue his football development.
Path to American Football
Hall’s path to the professional level ran through one of the most respected collegiate football programs in the country. His strong high school résumé, headlined by consistent production in the trenches, made him a priority target for several Big Ten and ACC programs. By choosing Ohio State, he aligned himself with a defensive pipeline known for producing NFL-ready interior linemen.
His selection of Ohio State, over the competing offers, was the formative step that ultimately shaped his career trajectory. The combination of elite high school production, a four-star rating, and a top-60 national ranking positioned Hall to compete for early playing time in Columbus and prepared him for the leap to the NFL.
Mike Hall Jr. Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Mike Hall Jr. arrived at Ohio State in 2021 and redshirted his true freshman season, appearing in only four games. Even with limited exposure, he showed enough to enter his redshirt freshman campaign with a starting role on the Buckeyes’ defensive line.
In the 2022 season opener against Notre Dame, Hall logged four total tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack, a debut that signaled his disruptive potential. Despite missing time during the year because of an injury, he finished the season leading the team with 7.5 tackles for loss, totaling 46 yards. His strong play in 2022 earned him third-team All-Big Ten recognition, the first of two consecutive honors from the conference’s media.
Ohio State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Hall’s redshirt freshman season in 2022 was the breakthrough that put him on the national radar. Pairing interior pass-rush ability with run-defense reliability, he became a consistent force in the Buckeyes’ front seven and earned his first All-Big Ten award.
Entering 2023, Hall had already played in 16 career games for Ohio State and continued to grow into one of the team’s most reliable interior defenders. Across his college career, he amassed 19 pressures and 5 sacks, the kind of production that teams look for in a pro-style defensive tackle. In 2023, he added a second consecutive third-team All-Big Ten selection, cementing his draft stock as he prepared to turn pro.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
The Cleveland Browns selected Michael Hall Jr. in the second round, 54th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft, giving the franchise a young, explosive interior defender. The pick reflected Hall’s status as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the class and a player capable of contributing immediately in the NFL.
Hall was placed on the commissioner’s exempt list to begin the 2024 season following an August 2024 arrest on domestic violence charges. The matter was later resolved in court, and the league and team have continued to evaluate his status as he works his way back into on-field action with the Browns.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hall’s professional career has been defined as much by off-field developments as by on-field achievements. His second-round draft slot remains his clearest football milestone to date, paired with two consecutive third-team All-Big Ten honors from his Ohio State years. The legal proceedings in 2024 also marked a significant chapter, with Hall pleading no contest to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct in September 2024.
Mike Hall Jr. Career Wins
Mike Hall Jr.’s résumé through his rookie NFL season is built on team-level results and individual production rather than a long list of individual trophies. At Ohio State, he contributed to winning efforts in the Big Ten, highlighted by his 2022 season-opening performance against Notre Dame, and capped his college career as a two-time third-team All-Big Ten honoree.
Ohio State Highlights
Hall appeared in 16 games for the Buckeyes across his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons, collecting 5 career sacks and 19 pressures. He led the team with 7.5 tackles for loss in 2022 despite missing time with an injury, and he added his second straight third-team All-Big Ten award in 2023 before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Big Ten, Hall was recognized as a four-star recruit and the No. 54 overall player in the 2020 high school class, a national ranking that put him among the top defensive tackles in his age group. His production at Benedictine High School, including 17 tackles for loss and five sacks as a junior, foreshadowed his college success.
Mike Hall Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Michael Hall Jr. grew up in the Cleveland area, splitting time between Garfield Heights, Ohio, and Streetsboro, Ohio, where he attended Benedictine High School and Streetsboro High School. His upbringing in Northeast Ohio helped shape a competitive edge that translated directly to his development as a defensive lineman.
Personal Life
Hall is known publicly for his football career and his connection to Northeast Ohio, having been born in Cleveland and raised in nearby communities. In August 2024, he was arrested in Avon, Ohio, following a domestic dispute, and he later pleaded no contest to a reduced disorderly conduct charge, receiving a 30-day suspended jail sentence, a $250 fine, and two years of monitored time. During his court appearance, Hall stated that he regretted the situation and was working to better himself through counseling.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to 2025, Mike Hall Jr. enters his second NFL season with the Cleveland Browns and the chance to establish himself as a core piece of the team’s defensive front. After spending his rookie year on the commissioner’s exempt list, his 2025 outlook depends on his return to full availability and his ability to translate his college pass-rush skill set to professional offensive linemen.
The Browns selected Hall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, an investment that reflects the organization’s belief in his long-term upside as an interior disruptor. His two consecutive third-team All-Big Ten seasons at Ohio State, combined with career totals of 5 sacks and 19 pressures, give him a foundation to build on as he competes for a larger role in 2025.
Cleveland’s defensive line depth and scheme will shape how quickly Hall develops into an every-down contributor, and the 2025 season represents a critical opportunity for him to put his off-field issues behind him and focus on production. If he can stay healthy and available, Hall has the physical tools and college résumé to become a meaningful part of the Browns’ defensive rotation during the year.