The Browns selected DT Michael Hall Jr. with the 54th overall pick in the second round on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.
In his three seasons at Ohio State, Hall tallied 45 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. His best season came during the 2023 season, as he set a career high of 24 total tackles. At the 2024 NFL Combine, Hall ranked third among defensive tackles with an athleticism score of 86.
“Ultimately it came down to talent,” said Browns Vice President of Player Personnel Glenn Cook. “He is a really talented young man. The way I would describe him is a shapeshifter. The way he can move his body, the way he can attack the quarterback.”
At 20 years old, Hall brings some youth to a veteran defensive line that is the engine for the Browns’ defense. The Browns brought back key players of their defensive line during free agency, re-signing DE Za’Darius Smith, DT Shelby Harris and DT Maurice Hurst II. They also added DT Quinton Jefferson in free agency to a line that is anchored by DE Myles Garrett and features DE Ogbo Okoronkwo.
“He has to earn it just like are other guys. We would love of he did,” Cook said. “Look, you can never have enough guys who can impact the quarterback and impact the passing game. So again he has to come in and obviously integrate himself into the way we do things. We hope he does.”
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. look to the sideline during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Ohio State defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8) and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) react to a sack on Georgia during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
John Bazemore/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Ohio State defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8) and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) react to a sack on Georgia during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
John Bazemore/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) looks to the sidelines during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Darron Cummings/Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. lines up during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Ohio State defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8) and Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) celebrate the sack on Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Brynn Anderson/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. celebrates after a quarterback sack during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is sacked by Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) walks the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Darron Cummings/Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) looks to the sidelines during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Darron Cummings/Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is sacked by Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is sacked by Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 21-10. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
David Dermer/Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.