Michigan State football: Jordan Hall named honorable mention Freshman All-American

This is the first of many collegiate awards and honors that the talented Michigan State football linebacker will receive.

After a season that saw many more lows than highs, Michigan State football did receive one last bright spot for 2023. Jordan Hall, the talented freshman linebacker from IMG Academy, was named an honorable mention Freshman All-American. Anyone who watched the Spartans knew that No. 5 was arguably the most talented defender this season, and it is great to see Hall’s effort get recognized.

Truly blessed. https://t.co/uAotD5WfGw

— Jordan Hall (@thejordanhall34) December 12, 2023

Jordan Hall shined for the Spartans this year

Entering the season, Hall came in as one of three top-200 prospects in the top 2023 class. Due to both his talent and high football IQ, as well as Darius Snow still recovering from injuries, Hall had a direct route to the field early. As the season went on, he progressively saw the field more and more.

In his first extended action against Richmond, Hall recorded five total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. In the next two weeks, against Washington and Maryland, he recorded a combined seven tackles and 1.5 more tackles for loss between the games. While he was held out of the backfield against Iowa, Rutgers, and Michigan, Hall could not be stopped from wrapping up the ball-carrier. Those three games saw Hall’s single game tackle total at five or more. 

Against Minnesota, Hall was a stand out defender. After his three weeks out of the backfield, he broke through the Minnesota line on blitzes for two sacks, including a forced fumble. Despite the Spartans losing the game, Hall became the story of the game. In the final five games, including his game against Minnesota, the freshman phenom recorded 4.5 sacks. He ended his season with an astounding 12 tackles against Penn State, including a sack.

Hall ended the year with 67 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also added a pass defensed along with the mentioned forced fumble. 

Amid all of the transfers, Hall is still with the program. On top of that, his recent Instagram post from his second account implies that the freshman is here for the long haul. Hall is a force of the field, and will see the field much more this season with Aaron Brule having expended all his years of eligibility. There is one more X-factor that we all need to remember, too. Joe Rossi’s system accounts to have a stand up rusher at the linebacker spot, and Hall showed a lot of talent in getting after the quarterback at the end of last season.

Hall is going to be a menace to all opposing offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches next season.

On top of that, this means Spartan Twitter keeps around Momma Hall, one of the best follows. Combining the forces of Momma Hall and Mama Tron (Nick Marsh’s mom) is something that everybody needs to see next season. 

This year culminated in his naming to an honorable mention for the Freshman All-American team. He is the second freshman Spartan linebacker to be honored with this as Cal Haladay was named a Freshman All-American in 2021. He also joins Ryan Eckley, who was named a Freshman All-American this season. Hall’s talent is undeniable, and he went from a backup to a rotational linebacker to a starter quickly. Next in that progression is a star, and I think Hall makes that leap for his sophomore year.