Hall moves back to Loyola
Detroit defensive end Stephon Hall was one of the biggest surprises in the Midwest on the camp scene this summer, but his rise to the fore of the recruiting scene in Detroit has not been without its challenges. He recently faced another one in preparation for his senior season.
The 6-3, 263-pound Hall played for Detroit's Loyola High last fall, but had decided to play his senior season at Detroit Consortium. With the start of the season just days away, though, Hall is back playing for Loyola.
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"Consortium really didn't know if the enrollment is good, so my mom kept me at Loyola," Hall said. "If I would have left I would not have been able to play in the season at Consortium."
Another challenge facing Hall is that he needs to improve his academic numbers in order to qualify. He understands the opportunities he would give up by not getting his grades in order and is working to rectify that situation.
"My goal is to just work hard, get good grades in school and focus on the ACT," Hall said. "I feel that I am going to do way better than what I did before. It wasn't that I was not a smart student, I just picked up bad habits and messed up."
Most colleges are waiting to see how Hall fares in the classroom this fall before extending a scholarship offer, though MAC programs Akron, Ball State and Eastern Michigan have already tendered their offers.
Hall attracted the attention of the Michigan State staff at the Sound Mind, Sound Body Camp in June, and followed up by attending their summer camp in East Lansing. He has stayed in contact with their staff throughout the summer, and is utilizing the techniques he learned at camp.
"When I look at Michigan State and saw how their work ethic is at their camps, I brought that to my team and showed them how to work," Hall said. "The line coach at Michigan State told me to take what you learn and teach someone else."
Hall expects to get out and see a game at Michigan State this fall. He is also working on setting up a trip to Austin to see Texas play.