Linebacker Keefe Hall is having a great season so far. The 6-2, 230 pound senior is not only leading the team in tackles, but the team he plays on is 8-2 and is at the top of the SWAC western division standings.To those who have seen Hall play on Saturdays, he is a natural linebacker. That’s because he has played that position his whole life.
Hall started playing backyard football at the age of eight, shortly after that, he was by spotted by his future little league coach, Coach Boo. From there Keefe’s football career took off.
Worthing High School is where he made his name. During his senior campaign in 2004, Hall registered 110 tackles and two sacks.
His outstanding performance on the gridiron got the attention of Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Iowa State and others. However, on National Signing Day, he decided to wanted to come to GSU.
Hall said that he came to GSU because of its rich football tradition and the family atmosphere that he felt during his service recruiting visits.
Hall arrived on campus in 2005, where he played mainly on special teams, recording eight tackles.
He was a part of that year’s SWAC Championship team.
“It was a wild and great year, in my first year, I won a championship and was happy to be apart it,” said Hall.
Going into his sophomore season, Hall had high hopes for his team and himself, but something happened that tested him physically and mentally.
During the GSU-TSU game in Keefe’s hometown on Oct. 28, 2006, he tore his ACL and his meniscus, ending his season prematurely.
Hall was highly disappointed. He said that the injury was really tough because he had to learn how to walk again.
The person that he credits for helping him through his long-enduring off season was his brother Kevin Hall.
Recently, linebacker Derrick Johnson tore his ACL against Jackson State, ending his season early.
Keefe, knowing exactly what Johnson is going through, told him to stay strong and stay around the game of football.
Johnson is rehabbing currently and is expected to be back to in the spring.
Since that injury two years ago, Hall has made a full recovery.
Last year, he recorded 64 tackles, good for third on the team. This year he year was voted preseason second team all SWAC.
Hall is leading the team in tackles with 73, 15 more than the second leading tackler on the team, Jeffrey Jack.
Also, Hall contributes to a defense that is only giving up 14 points per game.
All that is good for Hall, but he stated that anything less than a ring means nothing.
With last year’s 42-31 loss to JSU in the SWAC Championship Game still fresh on his mind, he is hungry and working hard for another ring.
If GSU can win out, the G-Men will head back to the Championship Game, slated for Dec.13.
Winning a championship is how he would love to end his career at GSU.
After his collegiate career, Hall said that he would like to take his business management degree and become an entrepreneur.
Hall has also expressed interest in playing for the Houston Texans.
When all is said and done, Hall would like to be remembered for someone who was a hard worker and one the best players who ever played here at GSU.