After using one first-round pick on defense (Devon Witherspoon) and one on offense (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) on Day 1 of the draft, the Seahawks selected Auburn outside linebacker Derick Hall with the No. 37 pick.
Here are three things to know about the All-SEC pass-rusher:
1) Captain Hall: Locker Room Leader
Hall, a Gulfport, Mississippi native, was a rotation player for the Auburn Tigers in his underclassman years before breaking out as a junior in 2021. In his first year as a starter, Hall posted a career-high 12.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Hall's progression on the field and leadership qualities in the locker room would prompt the Tigers to promote him to captain for the 2022 season.
"Coming here to Auburn," said Hall following the announcement. "I busted my butt for four years. I was blessed enough to play immediately. Just coming in, busting my butt, not taking anything for granted every single day, showing up and doing the work and it finally paid off."
The 2022 season would mark Hall's second-consecutive season with double-digit tackles for loss (11.5), along with 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and his first-career interception.
2) Athletic Pedigree
While rising to become a two-way football star and four-star recruit, the Auburn commit made a name as a multi-sport athlete at Gulfport High. Hall balanced football with being on the basketball team and climbing the ranks as one of Mississippi’s top high school sprinters. After receiving an invite to the 2023 NFL Combine, Hall flashed his athleticism in front of all 32 teams. An official 4.55 40 time ranked seventh of all edge rushers, while Hall’s 1.59 10-yard split ranked No.3 amongst edge prospects. Per NFL Next Gen Stats, Hall’s Athleticism grade of 84 ranks No.4 amongst all edge rushers in the class.
3) Avid Outdoorsman and Truck Tinkerer
When he's not making life difficult for opposing offenses, Hall likes to enjoy the outdoors, as well as do custom rebuilds of trucks.
"I hunt, I fish, I golf, I bowl, I build trucks. I do a lot of different stuff," he said. "As far as fishing, I catch a lot of trout, redfish, sheepshead, tripletail, red drum. Hunting, I deer hunt. I've never done anything else. I do want to start rabbit hunting. But I've never done anything else. Besides that, I golf, I bowl, and I build trucks."
Asked more about working on trucks, Hall said, "Not from the frame, but I take everything off. There's nothing under the truck. You can crank it up, the motors good, but wheels, brakes, tires, every single thing is completely gone and off the truck. And then I take it off, get a bigger lift and then put it all back together myself."
Take a look at photos of linebacker Derick Hall during his four years at Auburn. Hall was selected by the Seahawks with the 37th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall (29) strips the ball from LSU quarterback TJ Finley (11) while tackling him during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) is tacked by Auburn linebacker Derick Hall (29) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall covers a play against Northwestern during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) is pressured by Auburn defensive end Derick Hall (29) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn edge Derick Hall speaks during NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days, Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Auburn's Derick Hall (29) defends during the second half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Auburn's Derick Hall (29) celebrates a tackle for a loss during the second half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Auburn's Derick Hall (29) defends during the second half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall before the start of an NCAA college football game against Penn State Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall carries the ball after an interception against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall (29) carries the ball as Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) tries to tackle him after an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall (29) lines ip against LSU in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall walks the field before an NCAA college football game against Arkansas Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall reacts after a stop against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall (29) celebrates with teammates after a win over Western Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine, Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall participates in a drill during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall looks on during the 2023 Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall relaxes during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn linebackers Derick Hall (29) and Eku Leota (55) talk as they wait to bench press during Auburn Pro Day, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn linebacker Derick Hall performs a drill as NFL scouts watch during Auburn Pro Day, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
