Hall signs a relatively unheard-of rookie deal for a 2nd round pick.
Former Auburn standout defensive end [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag] put pen to paper on his rookie deal with the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks selected Hall with the sixth pick in the second round of this year’s NFL draft.
In an article from AL.com, Mark Inabinett breaks down the contract Hall signed, and it contained some unusual elements.
Like all draft picks, Hall’s deal spans four seasons. The 6-foot-3, 256-pounder’s contract has a total value of $9.116 million, including a $3.63 million signing bonus.
The unusual elements are Hall being guaranteed $7.22 million and 85% of his signing bonus before reporting to training camp. Both are rare for a draft pick in that position.
The Seahawks plan to use Hall as an outside linebacker.
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Auburn is hosting an experienced veteran defensive lineman from UCLA on a visit on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Jeffrey Lee of Auburn Live reported that the Tigers will be hosting UCLA defensive lineman transfer Odua Isibor. His visit is set to begin on Thursday on the Plains.
If there is one word to describe Isibor, it is experienced. The native of Phoenix, Arizona spent a total of five years in Westwood. His career with the Bruins began in 2017. This was ultimately the lone year where he didn’t play exclusively.
As a freshman, he would redshirt. After the 2017 season ended, he would go on to play in 42 of the next 43 games that the Bruins played. Over the course of his final four seasons, he accumulated 56 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Although his stats may not seem too glaring, he still had 14 starts as a Bruin. Ten of those starts came at outside linebacker, while the other four came on the defensive line. It goes to show that Isibor is very versatile. The coaching staff could use him in different roles whether it be off the edge or along with the interior.
He was projected to be a starter on the defensive front for Chip Kelly in his final year of eligibility. In a turn of events, he will now utilize his sixth and final year of eligibility elsewhere. His mentality on the field and in the locker room should not be taken lightly. I look for the Tigers to make him a priority regardless of what his role may be for Bryan Harsin’s team.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers will return several key pieces along their defensive front. Several of those being [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], and [autotag]Zykeivous Walker[/autotag]. However, they also brought in Oregon transfer [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag]. It is unclear as to what the Tigers’ plans may be for Isibor if he were to commit.
However, it is crucial to have depth along the defensive line, especially in one of the tougher conferences in all of college football — SEC. A veteran and experienced transfer like Isibor is something the coaching staff and Auburn faithful would appreciate. This will be something to keep an eye on closely as he makes the trip to the Plains for his visit.
2023 in-state edge linebacker listed Auburn in his final eight and also set a commitment date.
On Wednesday, 2023 edge rusher Yonzae Pierre listed his top eight schools. One of the schools listed was the Auburn Tigers. Along with Pierre listing his final eight schools, he also announced that he would be making his decision on Thursday morning.
Pierre stands at 6’4 220 pounds. It is likely that the Tigers will put him at the edge position. With his size and speed, I think he would fair well off the edge. His measurables are very similar to former Auburn defensive end [autotag]Dee Ford[/autotag]. Ford came out of high school listed at 6’2 243. Pierre could definitely add some weight before he reaches the college level. In the past two seasons at Eufaula high school, he has recorded 101 tackles and 12 sacks.
So far, Auburn has offered 17 edge rushers. Edge linebackers coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni[/autotag] would definitely love to add Pierre to the 2023 class. As it stands now, Auburn will likely lose [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag] to the NFL Draft after this season. A tandem of [autotag]Dylan Brooks[/autotag] and Pierre would be really nice for the foreseeable future.
Big-time West Virginia transfer has received an offer from Auburn
On Friday, the Auburn coaching staff extended an offer to West Virginia transfer Akheem Mesidor. After entering the transfer portal on Thursday, the Canadian native has quickly garnered interest from several schools and picked up some offers thus far. USC and Tennessee were among the schools to offer Mesidor since he entered the transfer portal.
Throughout his high school career, he played at Clearwater Academy International High School in Clearwater, Florida. Two seasons ago as a freshman, he was named an All-American. Throughout his career with the Mountaineers, he recorded 70 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
The talented edge rusher is now on the market. Although just three teams have offered Mesidor, several other programs will likely follow suit. According to AuburnLive, he will likely receive an offer from Penn State as he plans on visiting there. With that being said, many powerhouse programs will likely come into the fold sooner rather than later.
Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
The Tigers are somewhat thin at the edge rusher position. As of now, the only true edge rushers are [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag], [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag], and [autotag]Dylan Brooks[/autotag]. Defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Brumbaugh [/autotag]would certainly love to add someone as talented as the product from Ontario, Canada. In his tweet announcing his intent to transfer, he said that he wants to “pursue a better environment”. With that being said, the Plains certainly feels like the place to be.
Head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] is establishing a culture and would definitely welcome Mesidor to Auburn if he so chooses.
Auburn extends an offer to Texas edge defender in the latest recruiting efforts on the trail.
On Monday, Auburn extended an offer to 2023 edge rusher Braylan Shelby. Shelby, the Texas native, already holds 25 offers. With the Tigers likely losing [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag], the addition of Shelby would be a massive addition for the 2023 class.
Auburn’s lone commit of the 2023 class is offensive lineman [autotag]Bradyn Joiner[/autotag]. [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and his staff certainly hope that their recruiting class isn’t a replica of last year’s recruiting class. Last year, the Tigers ranked 9th in the SEC in 247’s recruiting rankings. A guy like Shelby could definitely bolster Auburn’s chances of having a better recruiting cycle for 2023.
