HOUSTON – The Texans and Logan Hall share a vision for how he’ll mesh as a key chess piece in an elite defense.
By adding Hall, a former University of Houston standout, to a top-ranked defense, the front seven should be bolstered by his imposing, athletic presence. The 6-foot-6, 283-pound defensive lineman likes how he’ll fit into an aggressive 4-3 scheme.
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His versatility and positional flexibility should provide a boost to work in tandem with star defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter along with defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai.
“I think I can do whatever is asked of me,” Hall said. “I have that versatility, that size. I’m big enough to play inside. I think I’m explosive enough and long enough to play outside. Ideally, for me, I think three technique is home. I love that position. But, ultimately, whatever is asked of me to do, I think I can do it at a high level.”
Obviously, playing with two All-Pro types in Anderson and Hunter makes Hall’s job simpler.
“I’m excited,” he said. “They got some fire rushers in that pair. It’s going to make my life a lot easier, certainly. It’s really exciting.”
The Texans have invested heavily in Hall, a former 33rd overall selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first player selected in the second round.
The Belton, Texas native signed a two-year, $13.75 million deal with $9 million guaranteed, including a $5.75 million signing bonus and salaries of $1.4 million (fully guaranteed) and $5.9 million ($1.85 million guaranteed) and $14,706 per game active roster bonuses annually and $100,000 workout bonuses each year.
Hall recorded 101 career tackles and 10 sacks with 15 tackles for losses for the Buccaneers, including three sacks and six tackles for losses last season.
Hall operated in more of a stay-home defense in Tampa Bay. With the Texans, he’s looking forward to more of an opportunity to be a playmaker in coach DeMeco Ryans’ scheme.
“It’s not going to be boring, you’re not going to get stuck into the monotony,” Hall said. “The blitzes and stunts and just being dialed in that way is really rewarding and really fun to play for. So, I think DeMeco is going to have a lot of good stuff like he has shown in the past. I’m just really excited to be a part of that. What I was asked to do in Tampa, I think was kind of stand and bang, fight the good fight.
“I think here I’d have more of an opportunity to pin my ears back and go, which is outstanding. I think cultivating that and continuing to soak up and absorb everything I’m learning from coach Wright and everybody else around me. I think that’s going to definitely add to my game.”
A conversation with Texans defensive line coach and run game coordinator Rod Wright gave Hall a comfort level with his decision to return to Houston.
“We had a good talk,” Hall said. “We shared some of our ideals and how like-minded we are. He talked about wanting to develop me more as a player and that he didn’t think that I peaked yet, and I agree.
“They just got me really excited for the future and my time here with the Texans because I’m always looking to improve my game and my craft. So, as much as he can pour into me, I’m going to be like a sponge and absorb everything that I can to help this team and contribute.”
A former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Texans, Ryans is the architect of three top-ranked defenses as he previously led the San Francisco 49ers defense.
“I think him constantly being dialed in with the defense, being the defensive mind, it’s not going to be boring,” Hall said. “You’re not going to get stuck into the monotony. I’m really grateful, coming from the scheme I was in.
“Similarly, you get to do a lot of things that you might not be allowed to do on other teams. The blitzes and stunts and just being dialed in that way is really rewarding and really fun to play for. So, I think DeMeco is going to have a lot of good stuff like he has shown in the past. I’m just really excited to be a part of that.”
Simply being back in the city of Houston has Hall energized.
He’s eager to reacquaint himself with the rich Houston food scene, too.
“It’s incredibly meaningful, it’s a blessing,” Hall said. “It can’t be overstated how much it means to me and my family. .. “French Fry House? That was my spot back in college. I miss it. There’s so many spots, Pinkerton’s, French Fry House.
“Believe it or not, some people might hate this, In-and-Out Burger. You can’t get that in Florida. I’ve been ‘feening for that. Timmy Chan’s, American Deli, the list goes on.”
Hall excelled in the Senior Bowl all-star game, cementing his NFL draft stock.
Now, he’ll reunite with former Coogs teammate Tank Dell as the wide receiver continues to rehab from a devastating knee injury.
“I’m fired up,” Hall said. “I haven’t spoke to him in a while, but he’s been doing good things down here, and hopefully he’s been getting healthy. I’ll see him soon enough, and it’ll be good.”
Hall couldn’t wait to join the Texans the night he agreed to terms.
“Oh man, I’m so excited,” Hall told KPRC 2 in a telephone interview. “I’m coming home. I just like their style of defense. They pin their ears back and go. DeMeco Ryans does a great job getting them dialed in. I’m happy to be a part of it and do what I can to help the team win.”
As a senior for the Coogs, he recorded 13 tackles for losses and six sacks.
Hall is an athletic defensive lineman who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds and bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times.
He had his first NFL sack against the Green Bay Packers on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Being back in the city of Houston resonated strongly with Hall.
“I think it’s going to be a surreal feeling coming home and playing back in the city,” Hall said. “I’m really excited. They’ll have my back and support me and do my best not to let them down. I want to be a part of a Super Bowl winning team. Let’s get after it.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com