Local Defensive Line Product Scheduled For Pre-Draft Visit With Browns

Former Ohio State defensive tackle and Streetsboro native, Michael Hall Jr. will be meeting with the Cleveland Browns at in April ahead of the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft.

Ohio State held their Pro Day last week and the Cleveland Browns were mentioned by Michael Hall Jr. when talking with reporters about his upcoming pre-draft visits.

The Northeast Ohio defensive line product stated that he has visits scheduled with the Browns, Packers, Texans, Chiefs and Vikings coming up in April. 

Mar 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. runs at OSU's Pro Day.

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

Back in 2021, Hall was rated as a four-star recruit coming out of Streetsboro High School. 247 Sports had him listed as the second-best recruit in Ohio, eighth ranked defensive lineman in the country and 37th ranked overall prospect that year.

Ohio State was able to keep Hall in the state as an integral piece in the 2021 recruiting class, which included Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson and numerous other big-name players. 

Hall did not see much of the field in 2021 but burst onto the scene in 2022, flashing his ability as one of the most athletic defensive tackles in college football. As a sophomore, he tallied 4.5 sacks and added 19 total tackles as well. 

As a junior in 2023, his sack production dropped to 1.5 sacks but he did slightly up his tackles with 24 total. The slip in sack production may have had a negative impact on his draft stock. At the moment, he is projected by numerous draft analysts and scouts to be a day two selection. 

Hall did have an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama back in late January. After the week of practice leading up to the game, the National team offensive line voted on the best performing defensive lineman and Hall was given the honor after wreaking havoc all week.

The Cleveland Browns have been actively looking to add to their already stout defensive line, recently re-signing Za'Darius Smith, Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris. The team also officially announced the addition of Quinton Jefferson to the mix during the first two weeks of free agency.

It will be interesting to see if the Browns pull the trigger and select Hall when they find themselves on the clock in late April. The idea of keeping a highly regarded, athletic defensive tackle in his home state has to be at least a little intriguing.