During Friday’s Iowa football media days, senior defensive back TJ Hall spoke about his offseason improvements and how he expects to emerge as a leader on the back end of the Hawkeyes’ defense this fall.
Hall, who is listed at 6 feet and 190 pounds, was listed atop the depth chart at cornerback to begin the spring. While the unit had its ups and downs last season, Hall detailed his various improvements during the offseason and shared what he hopes to contribute to the team with the goal of becoming one of the best players on the team this fall.
“Man, just really staying consistent, staying at it, not giving up on myself. And also the coaches not giving up on me. They believed in me, and I had to have that same belief in myself,” Hall said. “And I just wanted to be the best player I can be for this team and for myself. And, you know, coach Ferentz always says, ‘Our best players need to play their best.’ So, I feel like this is one of those years where I need to do that.”
Hall shared what’s paving the way for what he hopes is a breakthrough during his senior year.
“Just getting more comfortable with the game. Just watching more tape, practicing, working on my technique every day, day in and day out. So really it’s just with more reps and repetition and experience. I’d say that’s how I just got a little more comfortable,” Hall said.
With a pair of spots up for grabs at the cornerback position this offseason, Hall said the competition has been fierce among that group.
“I mean, it’s intense every day. Every day, everybody’s coming to compete. Every day, everybody wants to come and make plays. And we’re all doing a good job helping each other, helping no matter who’s in at the time, whether somebody is running with the ones or running with the twos. We’re all mentally trying to get our reps on and off the field,” Hall said.
After noting he is a journalism and mass communication major, Hall was asked how pivotal the use of communication has been in his personal development and growth as a leader within the Hawkeyes’ program.
“I think coach Parker, he told me the best just as far as helping every guy. Every guy is different,” Hall stated. “As far as being a leader and communicating, I think it’s my job to figure out how guys respond. And I feel like I’ve been doing a pretty good job trying to connect with each player and showing them whether a player is a better visual learner or a drawer, or you need to show it on the board, or you need to go out there on the field with them. So I think that’s the biggest part of communicating and helping get everybody on the same page.”
Unfortunately for Hall, coach Kirk Ferentz revealed on Friday that the senior suffered a bone bruise injury during fall camp. Ferentz said it will be a week or two before they get Hall back.
Despite the injury, Hall fully expects to be a pivotal factor in the Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield as the program looks to have a standout campaign with eyes set on making its first College Football Playoff appearance this fall.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football DB ready to emerge as one of the Hawkeyes’ best players
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
