BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall born December 9, 1984 is an American football defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Michigan, and earned consensus All-American honors. Hall was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
Early years
Hall was born in Oceanside, California. He attended Vista High School where he played wide receiver and defensive back. He also played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
College career
Hall attended the University of Michigan, and played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 2003 to 2006. As a freshman, he played in all 13 of his team's games and made three starts. He finished the year with 26 tackles and three interceptions. Hall was a first-team All-American freshman.
In his sophomore season, Hall once again played all the Wolverines' games, making nine starts. Hall totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, and recovered two fumbles.
In 2005, Hall started all 12 games on the Michigan schedule, registering 61 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and one recovered fumble. He was named to the All-Big Ten Conference second team.
Hall started all 13 games as a senior in 2006. He intercepted three passes including one against the Notre Dame and another against the cross-state rival Michigan State. Hall led the Big Ten in pass breakups with 18, tying Michigan record set by Marlin Jackson in 2002, and recorded 35 tackles. Hall was a unanimous choice for the All-Big Ten Conference first feam and contended for a number of national awards. He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, and a quarter finalist for the Lott Trophy. Hall also was first team AFCA All-American.
Hall is Michigan's all-time leader with 43 passes broken up. He is tied for fourth on Michigan's career interception list with 12, and set a school record with an 83-yard fumble return against North Western in 2005.
College awards and honors
- National awards
- First-team Freshman All-American (2003)
- Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist (2005)
- Jim Thorpe Award finalist (2006)
- Lott Trophy quarterfinalist (2006)
- Consensus first-team All-American (2006)
- Conference honors
- Honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference (2004)
- Second-team All-Big Ten Conference (2005)
- First-team All-Big Ten Conference (2006)
Professional career
2007 NFL Draft
After posting an impressive 40 time of 4.38 seconds at the NFL Combine, Hall was drafted in the first round (18th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Hall was expected to start along side Johnathan Joseph, who was drafted by Cincinnati a year before, and veteran corner Deltha O'Neal.
Cincinnati Bengals
On July 29, 2007, Hall was signed by the Bengals to a five-year deal for $13.6 million overall, with $8.2 million guaranteed.[2] During preseason practice in George town, Kentucky, Hall was said to have made a big impact. During Hall's first preseason with the Bengals, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King said that Hall was going to be an immediate-impact rookie in the secondary after watching one of the Bengals' practices.[3]
In the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, Hall had a breakout performance as starting corner back with four tackles and a fumble recovery. Hall finished the 2007 season as the Bengals' interception leader with five, tying a team record for most interceptions in a rookie season.
In the 2008 season, Hall continued to improve as he tallied 75 tackles (61 solo), 24 pass break-ups, three interceptions and a touchdown. Hall tied the franchise record by nabbing three interceptions one game in week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, returning one for a 50-yard touchdown. At season's end, Hall was praised by the Bengals' defensive back coach Kevin Coyle for his improvement .
In 2009, Hall recorded 71 tackles (58 solo), two forced fumbles, 24 pass break-ups and a career-high six interceptions. Late in the season, writer King called Hall and Joseph "the best corner back tandem in the NFL."
After the season, USA Today named Hall to its annual "All-Joe" team after he wasn't voted to the NFL Pro Bowl despite his standout play.
In 2010, Hall started all 16 games for the third consecutive year, recording 29 tackles, 11 assists, and four interceptions.
On September 2, 2011, Hall signed a four-year contract extension worth $39 million with $14.1 guaranteed. On November 13, Hall injured his achilles tendon in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the following day he was placed on injured reserve. He ended the season with, in nine games, 29 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2012, Hall returned and started and played in 14 games, totaling 23 tackles, 14 assists, two interceptions and one touchdown. He continued to be a Bengals' starting corner back in the 2013 season, but a second torn Achilles forced the Bengals to place him back on IR on October 29, 2013.
Personal
On November 18, 2012, during WEBN's broadcast of the Bengals' regular season match up against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was revealed that Hall's full name is Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall.
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