UGA’s Merritt Hall is proving recruiters wrong
ATHENS — Franklin Pridgen, the head football coach at Wesleyan School, was frustrated in the fall of 2010 by his inability to persuade a college to offer a scholarship to his hard-hitting senior linebacker.
“We did everything we could, putting out DVDs and writing letters and all these things,” Pridgen recalled. “I even said to our assistant coaches, ‘What are we doing wrong?’ Because even schools like Georgia Southern and Jacksonville State were, like, ‘No, I don’t think so.’ It really drove me crazy. … It was maddening to me and to him.”
Hall
Merritt Hall, the linebacker no one would offer a scholarship, wound up enrolling at Georgia last year and walking on to the football team at a new position, fullback. A year later, he is No. 1 on the Bulldogs’ fullback depth chart, a presumptive starter for the Sept. 1 opener against Buffalo unless something changes in the next couple of weeks. And, oh yes, coach Mark Richt put him on scholarship last weekend.
“It has happened kind of fast, hasn’t it?” Hall said.
At Wesleyan, Pridgen understood that Hall’s size (5-foot-11, 195 pounds at the time) and 40-yard dash time (“it didn’t blow anybody away,” Pridgen said) were not exactly selling points with recruiters.
“But what I always found frustrating is that none of that matters, in my opinion,” Pridgen said. “What matters is, what does a kid do when he straps on the pads and the lights come on on Friday night?’”
When the lights came on for Wesleyan — a private school in Peachtree Corners — from the 2008 through 2010 seasons, Hall starred.
He made all-Gwinnett County and all-state teams. He was named the state Class A defensive player of the year as a junior. He helped the Wolves win the Class A state championship as a sophomore and reach the state semifinals as a senior.
Hall played mostly defense, but Pridgen revels in telling the story of a 2010 game at Elbert County in which Wesleyan tailback Kyle Karempelis rolled an ankle and Hall filled in at a position he had not practiced and gained 50 yards on seven carries on a late drive to set up a game-winning field goal.
Through it all, recruiters yawned.
“I got letters from, like, Furman, Georgia Southern, Jacksonville State, Air Force. I got one letter from Wake Forest. But I never got any scholarship offers,” Hall said.
“It was frustrating for him,” said David Andrews, Hall’s teammate at Wesleyan and now Georgia’s starting center.
The idea of walking on at Georgia was broached by Hall’s trainer during his senior year in high school. Intrigued, Hall phoned Stacy Searels, then a UGA assistant coach, who promised that the Georgia staff would be back in touch. Pridgen then sent film of the Elbert County game to UGA offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and asked him to focus on Hall’s seven carries.
Soon came word from Bobo that Hall, as a fullback, could join his Wesleyan teammate Karempelis as a preferred walk-on in Athens.
A preferred walk-on, basically, is a walk-on with an invitation. While a regular walk-on might be turned away, a preferred walk-on is promised a chance to practice as a freshman.
Hall did so last season as a member of the scout team, going largely unnoticed.
“I had thoughts that ‘Gosh, I don’t even know if these coaches know who I am,’” he said.
Then, in spring practice, he got their attention. Asked how he did it, Hall said: “It obviously wasn’t my speed or my athletic ability, I don’t think. I think it was more just going full speed and just hitting people because that’s a big part of playing fullback.”
By the end of the spring, Hall was No. 1 on the fullback depth chart. Last week, Bobo reiterated that Hall remains in that spot at least for now, ahead of senior Richard Samuel (who splits time between fullback and tailback), junior Zander Ogletree and freshman Quayvon Hicks. Hall said he’s up to 233 pounds.
“Merritt’s not afraid of anyone,” Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said. “I don’t care who it is. I don’t care if it’s Cornelius [Washington], Jarvis [Jones], Tree [Alec Ogletree]. He’s not afraid to meet them in the hole and take them on. He’s done a great job of creating room for our running backs and knowing what to do. I really haven’t heard any coach yell at him for a missed assignment this whole [preseason].”
None of that surprises Andrews, Hall’s friend and teammate since seventh grade.
“I knew how good he was,” Andrews said. “He might not have all of the accolades; he’s not 6-3, 260 pounds. But Merritt has got something you can’t teach. Merritt has got heart. He loves this game more than anything, and that’s what really makes a football player.”
– Tim Tucker, AJC
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148 comments Add your comment
You go big dawg!
August 16th, 2012
11:05 pm
Love this story. Story of my life! I’m pulling for you Merritt!
Strange Murphy
August 16th, 2012
11:36 pm
Hey GTBob! How’s that dominating Georgia thing working out for ya’ll?
macrotech
August 16th, 2012
11:51 pm
Haha, Dawgs for Life…you DO know that engineers aren’t known for their fashion sense! As long as our pocket protectors hold our utensils…we don’t care WHAT color they are!
macrotech
August 16th, 2012
11:52 pm
Strange Murphy…I’ll answer that one for ya, “Slow and painful”! (I couldn’t resist)
Dawgs for Life
August 16th, 2012
11:55 pm
If you are going to be a fan, you should be a real fan though. Truth be told though, GT is one hell of an academic institution, as is UGA.
macrotech
August 17th, 2012
12:05 am
Indeed! I’ve loved the Yellow Jackets for a long time…for better or worst! I’ve never been offended by the stereo-types and enjoy ‘playing along’ with them from time to time. I’ll always respect ANY fan’s loyalty to the team of their choice. My brother is a HUGE UGA fan so you could imagine our drive every year to the GT vs UGA game…with the exception of one game; you can imagine how brutal the past 10 years have been for me. Even yet, I remain an eternal optimist! Thank you for your kind words…you seem to be a DGD. I wish you the best!
Dawgs for Life
August 17th, 2012
12:07 am
And you macrotech are a true fan. Only a true fan is willing to stick by their team through thick and thin! Completely admirable! Best of luck this season…except when you play UGA of course
red hill
August 17th, 2012
1:36 am
Best college football story I’ve read lately. It is so easy to root for guys like this. Damn good Dawg!
macrotech
August 17th, 2012
1:37 am
Haha…luck hasn’t been a strength of ours in that last game of the season, lately. All the same, thank you kind sir!
Jacob
August 17th, 2012
2:41 am
David pollack style player not many around anymore!
Go Dawgs!!!!
August 17th, 2012
3:13 am
I love his Coach, Franklin Pridgen, more than anyone….for the effort he gave in trying to get the kid a scholarship….who knows how many more kids could play college football if they were given the chance merely because their coach got off his butt/her butt and tried to help their players out….
Ga Dave
August 17th, 2012
3:46 am
Great heart and intelligence – a prime example of what Georgia is about. And, hey, keep the mustache if for only the psychological effect.
UGA owes Richard Samuel
August 17th, 2012
4:43 am
Good Job – Hall. However I have to say this:
No one should start above SAMUEL.
#1 – UGA owes this kid – Like they owe noone else. He has sacrificed three years and possibly lost his chance as an NFL linebacker because Samuel put Georgia’s goals ahead of his own. Now, it’s time for Georgia to repay him.
#2 – Samuel is a proven workhorse – Big, Strong and Fast. Excellent Attitude. However, he may not be the #1 Tailback that UGA forced him to try to become.
DawgByte
August 17th, 2012
8:51 am
Unfortunately this is the plight of many white HS athletes. As Hall points out… it’s not about 40 times or size, it’s about what the player does when they strap on their helmet. Hopefully, coaches see this story and give more kids like Hall a chance to prove themselves.
bardawg
August 17th, 2012
8:58 am
It ain’t the size of the dawg in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dawg. DGD! sic’em
StottsEra
August 17th, 2012
9:21 am
does this mean he’ll be arrested soon ?
Shades of David .....
August 17th, 2012
10:05 am
Sounds like Polllack. Heart andf soul. Highly revved up motor.
Nice story.
Rhett McGowan story also is great. He caught some key balls last year.
EVERT TEAM HAS GUYS Like this. Why? LEADERS THEY ARE.
Go Dogs.
BigGAdawg
August 17th, 2012
10:22 am
What a great story!!! Looks like he is truly a DGD! Hope we have more reports on his playing as we go thru the season. Sure is a good lesson in work ethic.
WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!
BG
August 17th, 2012
10:28 am
Great story. GO DAWGS!!
ugab
August 17th, 2012
10:52 am
Awesome story. this is something Uga needs. All of these big time recruits think they are too good to lay someone out. Hall is happy to hit someone and is greatful to be at Uga. Brings me back to the good ole days.
ugab
August 17th, 2012
10:59 am
I just didn’t think Ogletree was laying people out. Coaches noticed it too.. If Bobo is going to run the some ole plays. A good fullbak is what we need. It would be nice to see a few passes to the FB this year also..
Frank Lane
August 17th, 2012
11:08 am
Great positive story. Do one on Connor Norman also. Connor reminds me of Len Hughes who went on to greatness.
No distinction between Todd Gurley and Georgia’s other tailbacks | UGA sports blog
August 17th, 2012
12:17 pm
[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]
dogboy
August 17th, 2012
12:54 pm
Sounds like a story we heard and seen before in a former fullback at UGA JT Wall.
ugalee
August 17th, 2012
1:01 pm
there is a tremendous amount of reverse racism in sports as a whole right now. Coaches in football and basketball wont take a chance on white players w comparable or better stats than their black counterparts. I rememeber reading an SI article a yr or 2 ago written by a black guy that described a white tailback from nj who was 6-2 210 w good speed who led the big school classification in rushing his senior year. All he got for offers were naia and 1aa. Even the black aauthor admitted that whites get shafted by, ironically white coaches. So the next time you wonder where the terry hoages and bill Stanfills are. They either gave up footba
ugalee
August 17th, 2012
1:02 pm
all or are playing at presbyterian
VINCE
August 17th, 2012
1:04 pm
I believe Lynn Hughes was a starter ole timer. Cooner will be lucky to see the field on defense.
Dawg Tired
August 17th, 2012
1:30 pm
A good example of how heart and desire mean more than the number of stars by your name. Our problem is we need sevaral more players with these qualities.
Dunwoody Tailgater
August 17th, 2012
1:54 pm
Great story and will be watching Hall GATA soon. I do wish our coaches could recruit some guys like this upfront instead of the Crowells (Cry wells) of the world. At least Bobo was smart enough to let him walk on. Many of our most successful players have been walk-ons including Billy Bennett…and the UGA coaches were LUCKY to have benefited from their hard work and determination.
MountainDawg
August 17th, 2012
2:52 pm
@”UGA owes Richard Samuel”, I’m not so sure Samuel would make it in the NFL (maybe as a FA signee). As for Samuel’s hard work, that’s just earning his scholarship. Fact is, Hall’s outplayed him thus far. BTW, size or speed don’t always transfer to the field. I’ve seen MANY of grossly overrated “5 star” recruits that can’t cut it. On the other side, there’s “3 star” recruits that become 3x All Americans (like Pollack). The recruiting services overhype many of this kids to bump up their membership.
dawgfacedboy
August 17th, 2012
3:02 pm
As a junior Zander Ogletree can’t play the position better than a preferred walk on sophomore?? What’s up with that?? FB would be Samuel’s third position and he plays it better than Zander??
dawgfacedboy
August 17th, 2012
3:05 pm
Mountain dawg- Unfortunately I think Samuel’s been moved around too much. I think if they had left him alone and let him learn and play one position he would’ve been really good at whatever it was.
wow
August 17th, 2012
3:48 pm
Soon came word from Bobo that Hall, as a fullback, could join his Wesleyan teammate Karempelis as a preferred walk-on in Athens.
So Bobo noticed he could play FB. He did something right.
MountainDawg
August 17th, 2012
5:24 pm
@Wow, right you are. Merritt outworks these others mugs and brings tha wood on his blocking. I think Karempelis might get a shot at 3rd string, he has good speed and lateral quickness.
Gary
August 17th, 2012
5:28 pm
This is why I never disparage walkons like I’ve seen others on this blog do. You have to admire a young man that would pay his own way and suffer through practice with some of the most talented recruits in the nation just for the chance to maybe play a couple of downs in a meaningless game. You just never know what diamond in the rough is out there. Recruiting rags dont always know what they are talking about and just like Gurley seems to be proving, its not always the 5star recruit that turns into the big star, its that “other guy” that turns out to be the real deal.
Greg64
August 17th, 2012
7:46 pm
My blazing 5.2 40, impressive 250 bench, and 220 lbs of screaming furry is what impressed those schools Coach Cloy! Merritt reminds me of his cousin Chad. 5′7″ and playing on sundays. He only got one offer too!
GT Bobbie
August 17th, 2012
7:56 pm
Enter your comments here
GT Bobbie
August 17th, 2012
8:01 pm
I love all things UGA. Why else would I show up on every blog that mentions UGA. I love being in the conversation about a team that has relevance. Actually I just love having someone respond to my comments.Most Tech nerds can’t get anyone to talk to them. I love UGA
IceColdATLien
August 18th, 2012
8:03 am
my new favorite player since AJ left.
TDawg
August 18th, 2012
8:12 am
Merritt is already a DGD. I am beyond fired up about this team. 14 days. GATA
flo-ri-duh
August 18th, 2012
9:06 am
Hall hasn’t played in a real game yet. He is either a good practice FB or UGA is just weak at the position. Time will tell. If he is still starting at the END of the season then you can say recruiters were wrong.
Joe Bowen
August 19th, 2012
6:21 pm
Merritt Hall, David Andrews and Kyle Karemprlis all graduated together from Wesleyan. Have three high school classmates ever played together on a UGA football team? Was there a set of triplets who played for UGA?
crossdawg
August 20th, 2012
10:04 am
Got the makings of a D G D .
'94 UGA Alumnus
August 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
Hey GT Bob,
Remind me again where Tech is ranked in the preseason. Get ready for a long season loser. 10 out of 11 and still counting.
Notebook: Still no offensive snaps for Malcolm Mitchell, but coming soon | UGA sports blog
August 20th, 2012
6:25 pm
[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]
Cruiser
August 20th, 2012
9:39 pm
Way to go Merritt! Keep up the hard work and keep knocking heads;
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August 21st, 2012
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[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]
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August 21st, 2012
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[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]