There was one question that gave JT Tuimoloau more pause than any other at his most recent media availability Aug. 17.
One member of Ohio State’s press ensemble asked the star defensive end what a healthy Mike Hall Jr. brings to the defensive line.
Tuimoloau let out a near-whistle as a slight smirk crossed his face, staring upward while he pondered.
“A lot of things,” Tuimoloau answered after a few moments. “He’s a mud dog of a silver bullet and having his energy, just hearing him – it does nothing for you but to make you go harder. Mike’s everything. Mike’s the heart.”
If that heart keeps beating by staying as injury-free as possible in 2023, it could pump the Buckeye defense toward a more elite level in its second season under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
“(He’s) explosive, quick, good instincts, all the things you want to see from a guy that plays inside,” defensive line coach Larry Johnson said.
Hall erupted onto the scene with a breakout Week 1 performance against Notre Dame in 2022, coming up with a huge sack late in the contest to go along with four tackles and a tackle for loss.
Hall brought a palpable intensity after making some of the big plays within the above highlight reel. The way he flexed and shouted and shook after making the fourth-quarter sack against Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner is something that Hall stated has always been part of his on-field persona.
“(It comes from) the passion of the game,” Hall said. “You’ve got to find a bigger purpose and when you have that bigger purpose, it allows me to play harder than anybody else. Can’t nobody come in between that.”
Other great performances followed early in the season, including a sack the following week against Arkansas State and 2.5 quarterback takedowns in just seven snaps against Michigan State during Week 6.
Injuries limited Hall the rest of the way, however, particularly shoulder issues that lingered through the rest of the year. Still, his 4.5 sacks – all accrued in those first six weeks – were tied with Jack Sawyer for the team lead on the campaign.
Hall’s top focus entering 2023 has been maintaining his health to keep up such production for a full season.
“Just really taking care of your body, handling your routine, your pre-practice (warm-ups) and all that,” Hall said. “Stretching, getting in the cryo tank, doing those things. Just helping your body.”
He’s also made strides physically. Hall has slimmed down, stating Wednesday that his body fat percentage has dropped from 23% to 19%, aiding him in his pursuit and avoidance of blockers. He still weighs in at over 280 pounds currently, he added.
“(It’s) helping me run to the ball more, be faster, be more elusive,” Hall said.
“Just hearing him – it does nothing for you but to make you go harder. Mike’s everything. Mike’s the heart.”– J.T. Tuimoloau
As for being the “heart” of the defense, Hall says that hasn’t just been a matter of bringing energy to the field and celebrating after big plays. He’s also pushed himself to lead the defense with his voice.
“I’m definitely getting out of my shell this year,” Hall said. “Last year I wasn’t as talkative, but this year I’m trying to cheer my teammates on more, bring that juice to practice and get everybody going because they feed off of it.”
Ohio State’s offensive linemen also feed off the “juice” Hall brings. Left guard Donovan Jackson and Hall bounced both pads and ideas off each other during fall camp.
“Mike is clicking on all cylinders right now,” Jackson said. “We work during one-on-one periods, we try to give each other keys, ‘This is what I’m looking for as a D-lineman, this is what I’m looking for as an O-lineman.’ So when we go against somebody who’s not us, we’re able to excel at a high level. Mike has been a great resource.”
The Buckeyes’ defense is hoping to keep its heart protected in 2023. If it does, there’s a lot of confidence he will disrupt the beat of opposing backfields.
“Mike Hall is going to be really hard to handle,” Knowles said. “I think we all saw that (last year). We have to keep him healthy.”
