The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.
In November of 2014, the Buckeyes received a commitment from Gahanna, Ohio's Jonathon Cooper, who, at the time, was the country's 13th-ranked defensive end. Ohio State was pursuing a number of big-timers at the position when Washington, D.C.'s Terrell Hall visited Columbus for the first time two weeks later.
Hall, a 6-foot-5, 250-pounder from St. John's College High School, would return to Ohio State in late January for a key Junior Day weekend and it was on that trip he determined he'd be a Buckeye. His commitment officially happened in early March and Hall was back on campus at the end of March.
Since his pledge, Hall – the country's 10th-ranked defensive end – has been actively and aggressively working hard to improve his national ranking, working tirelessly in his quest to become the nation's best.
This week, Hall took a break from his efforts to answer the questions of Eleven Warriors readers in the 11W Community Interview.
You said "My violence separates me from a lot of players". "I'm a humble guy off the field." You inferred that you are two different people on and off the field. Do you go through a process to get yourself in and out of a game mindset? – AllInOSU
TH: I do sort of go through a process of getting into my game mindset. I remember the reasons I play, and for some reason I always find something that makes me mad whether it be rankings or critics and doubters; often times it may just be something I'm going through in life. When I'm off the field I'm a very friendly person in general, but on the field everyone is my worst enemy if we don't wear the same uniform.
You've gained a lot of mass lately. Hard work in the gym no doubt, but what have you been eating? Do you ever find it challenging to eat as much as you need to? – TeddyBallGame
TH: At the beginning it was definitely difficult to keep eating even if I felt like I was full. As I started getting used to eating more and more, my body started getting used to eating a meal every 2-3 hours. I make sure every meal is high in protein and usually carbs too, so I often eat a lot of pasta like spaghetti and etc.
What made Ohio State the school for you? – WesPatterson23
TH: The family environment really attracted me. I loved how close the players were to each other and to the coaches. Everyone is like a big family, and they benefit you more than just on the football field with one of the largest alumni bases in the country. With the large amount of alumni, that opens up a lot of opportunities for networking in the future for business. I like the fact that coach Larry Johnson has a plan for you too succeed in life, not just football.
When I'm off the field I'm a very friendly person in general, but on the field everyone is my worst enemy if we don't wear the same uniform.
What's the strangest experience you had in your recruitment? – FatPants
TH: I haven't really had too many strange recruiting experiences, it was pretty weird when I was on Twitter at a Maryland basketball game, and when I liked a picture, coach Edsall had asked if that was one of my girlfriends (laughs). Another one would be when a coach woke me up around 3:00 a.m. in the morning by calling and wanting to speak to me.
Terrell - who are you the closest with on the team (future or current) and which coaches do you have the best relationship with? – GWolkoff5
TH: I'm closest with Jonathon Cooper. We always stay in contact and talk about the future. As far as coaching, Coach Johnson and I are definitely the closest. But I am close also with Urban Meyer, coach Coombs, and coach Fickell.
Welcome aboad Terrell! Which recruits and committed players do you have the closest connections to? – BuckAbroad
TH: Jonathon Cooper is definitely the guy I'm closest too, we keep in contact very often and that's like my brother. Isaiah Prince is another guy I keep in contact often and seeing how he's doing up there. Other than that it's mainly the 2016 commits like Kareem Walker and Austin Mack. Also, Nick Bosa and I are really cool.
What do you enjoy doing most outside of football? – ICouldNotGoFor3
TH: My life really revolves around football because I love perfecting my craft. I'm usually a very simple person. I like hanging out with friends and family and just chilling, playing video games, etc.
How is your quest to become the #1 player in the nation coming? – UrbanCulture
TH: My quest is going fine in my opinion. I'm working every day, getting better, and getting ready to dominate my season. While a lot of these guys take breaks to take visits, get ready for camps, or focused on their girlfriend, I'm almost always working to get better. So I don't worry about what the rankings say, I've looked at each player's film that are ranked "above" me and "behind" me. I can easily make an argument for why I'm better than each and every one of them, but at the end of the day, everything in the dark comes to light.
Who do you pattern your game after that is currently playing in the NFL? – Seattle Linga
TH: I'm sort of like a human sponge, so I try to take bits and pieces from different players and how they play, and combine them into one. I usually pattern my hands after JJ Watt as far as a defensive end, but with my athleticism I like to look at guys like Julius Peppers, Terrell Suggs, Clay Matthews, and even Tyrann Mathieu or Richard Sherman. I look at how guys play the game physically and mentally, and model my game after a bunch of guys.
What about the University academics interested you and do you feel comfortable with the defensive scheme to show and master your craft? – Seouldier13
TH: I've always been interested in engineering or doing something in the medical field like an athletic trainer, therapist, or strength and conditioning coach. Ohio State definitely has the tools to help me succeed in any of those career paths. I absolutely feel comfortable with the defensive scheme because that's what I play right now, in some cases it doesn't show everything I can do, but it does allow me to drop back in coverage some, and show my athleticism.
