P.J. Hall is enjoying a reboot just three seasons into his NFL career.
The Oakland Raiders selected the former Sam Houston State product in Round 2 of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Raiders attempted to trade the 6-0, 305-pound defensive tackle to the Minnesota Vikings in August, but a failed physical nixed the deal, leaving the Raiders with no other choice than to waive him.
Hall played 35 games for Oakland, starting in 22 of them, and collected 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. However, it wasn’t good enough to make the move with the club to Las Vegas.
Houston claimed the former Seguin High School alumnus off waivers to bolster their defensive line. Through five games with his new team, Hall has enjoyed the new start with the AFC South club.
“It’s definitely more comfortable,” Hall said. “It feels great knowing that like my family’s here. I’m from Seguin, so it’s two and a half hours down the road. It just feels like I’m back at home, like this is fresh air, like a fresh start.”
Hall doesn’t begrudge his two seasons with the Raiders, but rather chooses to look at the positives, such as how the organization helped him acclimate to the pro game.
“I think things didn’t click when they needed to,” Hall said. “I feel like stuff happened over there and I think I couldn’t control it. So, once I got here everything started rolling just in time. I feel like it’s going good. Making sure that I stay focused and stay on track right now.”
When Hall got to Houston, he cleaned up his diet and chipped away at other aspects that could affect his focus.
“I feel like that’s why I’m playing better,” Hall said. “I feel more comfortable out there. I have great leadership out here, too. I feel like all those things are tying in.”
Hall has provided Houston with 21 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack in five games, four of which he started. The Texans are far from perfect at 1-4, but if Hall can continue to give the Texans a presence on the defensive line’s interior to shore up the run defense, the 2020 season may start to become as perfect as it can be.