Baylor Senior Warns of Secret Weapon on Defensive Line
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The Baylor Bears are talented, experienced and downright scary up front on both sides of the ball, especially the defensive line. Anchored by 2021 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Siaki Ika and two-time All-AAC transfer Jaxon Player, there is plenty to worry about for opposing offensive lines.
But while all their attention is shifted on Ika and Player, there is another defensive tackle waiting for his chance to pounce.
2022 might just be his chance.
"One guy that has been standing out has been Gabe Hall," defensive lineman Chidi Ogbonnaya said. "I just think he's going to have a crazy year."
If not for two All-Conference performers playing alongside him, maybe Hall would be more of a household name.
While Ika took a lot of the plaudits last year (and rightfully so,) Hall just got better as the year went on. On the road against Kansas State last November, Hall wrapped up three sacks, the most by a Bear in a game since James Lynch also had three in 2019, half his season total. He also accounted for 18 solo tackles in 12 games and six tackles for loss.
Hall relishes being a part of such an effective defensive line.
"It's really exciting because I've never played with a stacked defense like this, especially on the defensive line," Hall said. "We push each other a lot, more than I have ever been pushed in my life, and it's very exciting because it makes everybody better on the team."
Aside from the obvious talent, Hall credits the camaraderie amongst his teammates for his (and the unit's) success.
"We're really close now," Hall said of his teammates. "We've been through a lot of stuff, been through ups and downs, and we know what to expect out of each other and we push each other every day."
Hall says he has been playing defensive end in fall camp, presumably so defensive coordinator Ron Roberts can get Ika and Player on the field together as much as possible. For a coach who likes having big, fast guys on the edge, the 6'6" Hall could have even more opportunities to get after the quarterback this year.
"I'm very excited about our pass rush," Hall said. "We're still building, it's going to be way better than last year, I'm excited."
With so much depth on the defensive line, Hall is another example of someone competing every day not just to get better, but to keep his spot.
"As a d-line, we have no choice but to bring it, no matter where we are on the depth chart," defensive lineman T.J. Franklin said. "If we even just see one person dragging, we get behind them and push them to get better every day."
When the broadcasters wax poetic about Ika and Player during a Bears game this year, look out for Hall. The opposing quarterbacks sure will have to.
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