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
UGA_1
August 16th, 2012
4:01 pm
wish UGA had a dozen more just like him!
Pj
August 16th, 2012
4:04 pm
This is a great, great story. I can’t wait to see him smack a Missouri linebacker in the hole and open Marshall/gurley up for a 50 yd touchdown. Congrats on the persistence Merritt!!
Big Albany Dawg
August 16th, 2012
4:11 pm
Nice. Way to persevere.
Eaassyy
August 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
Keep on trucking brother. Loving the mustache too
VADAWG
August 16th, 2012
4:12 pm
DGD
Black-N-Red
August 16th, 2012
4:14 pm
This is what we need a team full of! Guy’s who really love the game and play at full speed ALL THE TIME…. I wish our former running backs understood this frame of mind, anyway Sickem Dawgs – Woof Woof Woof!
George Stein
August 16th, 2012
4:16 pm
That’s an awesome story. Hard work apparently pays off; whooda thunk it?
Adam
August 16th, 2012
4:17 pm
Sounds like Georgia’s own version of ‘Rudy’ but with more talent.
Top Dawg
August 16th, 2012
4:18 pm
Looks like a DGD at Fullback! Glad we got him! GO DAWGS!!
StuDawg
August 16th, 2012
4:22 pm
The ‘Stache! Take that ’stache, put your head down and hit somebody!
Dawg Haus
August 16th, 2012
4:26 pm
Great story. We need as many hard-working, hard-hitting Dawgs out there as we can get. Go get ‘em, Merritt!
Tim
August 16th, 2012
4:27 pm
HEART = Winner!
Dawg in Bama
August 16th, 2012
4:30 pm
Ahh… Heart and love for the game. This is nice. Refreshing like the first time i had a Coke.
Dawg Days
August 16th, 2012
4:30 pm
Congratulations young man!
GB's Hamburgers
August 16th, 2012
4:31 pm
I bet he doesn’t take plays off or pull himself out. I get his gun has a serial number too.
Coach Mike Cloy
August 16th, 2012
4:33 pm
The exact opposite happened to his uncle, Greg. Southern Cal , ND, Texas were all after him. After heavy recruitment , he ended up doing the ” right thing ” and signed with the Violet Paladins of Furman.
LeftCoastDawg
August 16th, 2012
4:33 pm
Good for Merritt!
OldFan
August 16th, 2012
4:38 pm
Maybe there is still such a thing as a student athlete. Great story. Really pulling for you, Merritt.
dawggirl
August 16th, 2012
4:39 pm
Coach Mike Cloy of North Springs? You taught me at one point.
Class of 1990.
BiggDawgK
August 16th, 2012
4:40 pm
Great story and this kid is a DGD. I also love that the s&c has been showing some serious results bulking up the guys. I hope it means the Dawgs will be standing tall late in the 4th quarter this year. I’m sure the other teams will be feeling the impact of that extra muscle.
Macclenny_dawg
August 16th, 2012
4:40 pm
I would rather have a team full of kids with HEART than most of these 5 stars without!!! Go Dawgs!!!
DIT
August 16th, 2012
4:41 pm
Put Merritt on Special Teams as well! This guy seems to like to get after it. Seems to have a special teams attitude. It’s kind of like a relief pitcher. The mentality just has to be slightly off(in a good way). I look forward to watching him this season!
bitter
August 16th, 2012
4:42 pm
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU CLEAR THE HOLES FOR GURLY AND MARSHALL
Here we Go
August 16th, 2012
4:47 pm
Heart and love for the game=DGD.Good luck Merritt this season.
Carew Rowell
August 16th, 2012
4:47 pm
Just goes to show you what you can happen when you want something bad enough…
A big heart goes a long way in my book!
Great story…I needed that to pick my spirits up. I’ll be keeping an eye on him.
Go Dawgs…it’s about time to “Rock and Roll! I sure hope we can block somebody this year.
Hope burns eternity!
Chuck
August 16th, 2012
4:48 pm
Terry Hoage wasn’t highly recruited, either. You can’t measure their heart like you can height and the 40-time.
Carew Rowell
August 16th, 2012
4:48 pm
eternal…sorry typo
Spanky
August 16th, 2012
4:49 pm
Ruuudy,Ruuudy,Ruuudy,…(start the slow clap)..LOL
All kidding aside, this is awesome, and gets me even more excited for kick-off time!! Go Dawgs!!
wally
August 16th, 2012
4:50 pm
Go get um big boy. It’s good to hear something good to come out of Athens.
Erk
August 16th, 2012
4:59 pm
This reminds me of how Terry Hoag was not heavily recruited, who ended up being one of Dooley’s all time favorite players.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
August 16th, 2012
5:04 pm
Wouldn’t it be great to have 20 more of these guys….
GTBob
August 16th, 2012
5:06 pm
So UGA is starting a player that Georgia Southern didn’t even consider? Good luck with that National Championship run!
Champion Dawg
August 16th, 2012
5:09 pm
Attention Georgia Bulldawgs on with great talent and on scholarship, You still have to play with heart. National Championship teams have load of players with heart. Our TEAM, Our TIME, NO REGRETS!!
Champion Dawg
August 16th, 2012
5:13 pm
GTBob, my coach, Coach Mark Richt and his staff have a way of sifting for gold and diamonds. Good luck with pj. Most of Tech’s players are not the hottest of recruited hot shots.
I-DOG
August 16th, 2012
5:14 pm
fullback just seems to be one of those positions where a walk on can have a big impact on a an SEC program. Congrats to Hall on overcoming some early disapointments to have a shot at starting in the SEC for Georgia!
We have been very lucky with the lack of injuries this Spring and so far this pre-season practice. Can’t remember so little in the way of players missing significant time for injuries. Hope that continues!
kingdaddy
August 16th, 2012
5:15 pm
Boy needs a nickname…
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
August 16th, 2012
5:17 pm
Any investigations going on at The BARN today???????????????????
LoyalDog
August 16th, 2012
5:19 pm
I see Mack Strong surprising the defense with a quick burst up the middle. Great play.
Greg
August 16th, 2012
5:21 pm
GTBob, I bet he pops every linebacker you guys have. Your “so called” linebackers. We got wide outs bigger than those guys.
Anways, good luck Merritt and knock some people on their butts! I can’t wait to see him pop some people!
kingdaddy
August 16th, 2012
5:22 pm
Bob,
GT offered 4 walk-ons a scholarship today. Are they just “practice dummies”??? You didn’t even read the article, did you Bob???
Greg
August 16th, 2012
5:24 pm
He must be really special because Bobo and Richt are very hesistant to name people as starters as quickly as they did Merritt. We haven’t had a true, hard nosed fullback since Brennan Southerland. He beat out Samuel who is big and physical, and he also beat out the freshman Hicks who has great size for a FB. Merritt Hall is gonna be a DGD.
kingdaddy
August 16th, 2012
5:24 pm
What’s up Brain???
GTBob
August 16th, 2012
5:25 pm
Most of Tech’s players are not the hottest of recruited hot shots.
I am going to go out on a limb here and claim that all of our starters could have made the team at Georgia Southern.
kingdaddy
August 16th, 2012
5:28 pm
Greg
CMR may be trying to light a fire under Hicks and Samuel or Merritt may be for real. I’m thinking he’s real…
GTBob
August 16th, 2012
5:28 pm
GT offered 4 walk-ons a scholarship today. Are they just “practice dummies”??? You didn’t even read the article, did you Bob???
I did read the article, and yes, aside from Scully they are pretty much practice dummies.
Fullback
August 16th, 2012
5:31 pm
What happened to A. Ogletrees brother who played fullback?
GTBob
August 16th, 2012
5:31 pm
GTBob, I bet he pops every linebacker you guys have. Your “so called” linebackers. We got wide outs bigger than those guys.
Our linebackers are actually bigger then yours.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 16th, 2012
5:32 pm
Isn’t that CROWELL did too?
umyboyBlue17
August 16th, 2012
5:35 pm
Every team needs a head buster in the back field.
collegeballfan
August 16th, 2012
5:35 pm
Wonderful story Tucker. I absolutely love these stories. A player is a player is a player!
So UGA is starting a walk-on. Every dawg fan seems pleased.
Yet when GT starts a walk-on every Dawg slimes the player.
And when UGA starts a walk-on every GT fan slimes the player.
This always reminds me the story of the blind leading the blind. Or the story of Pavlov’s trained dogs.
ATLcracker
August 16th, 2012
5:37 pm
The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.
Clydesdale
August 16th, 2012
5:45 pm
I remember reading that Rocky Bleier of the great Pittsburgh Steelers ran a 40 yard dash in over 5 seconds. Maybe this kid can be our Rocky!
Paul in NH
August 16th, 2012
5:48 pm
Nice story – and good for him!
Greg
August 16th, 2012
5:49 pm
Who cares if he’s a walk-on? As long as he can hit and keep it moving. If he lay out a defender whose going to remember that he’s a walkon?
kral
August 16th, 2012
5:51 pm
hey gtboob..even you would have to agree it is a good story..you know kind of like watching that relief pitcher for the pads..last night 42nd rd..wish him great success when he leaves ATL
Johnny DangerDawg
August 16th, 2012
5:51 pm
Even though he’s not playing defense, this guy is the epitome of a JUNKYARD DAWG. He’s a guy who nobody wanted, who got no respect from anybody, so he just plays mean and nasty and beats up on everybody. Really looking forward to seeing what this guy can do!
MountainDawg
August 16th, 2012
5:55 pm
Merrit undersells his athletic ability. He’s a good football player and I’m hoping he holds onto that starting spot. I’d love to see him get some carries…as I would for (under-utilized Karempelis).
Paddy
August 16th, 2012
5:57 pm
GTBob……You sir, add nothing to this conversation. It sounds like you are not much of a sportsman or a gentlemen.
Glad we have a few players like Hall on our team. You can win with that kind of determination. DGD
Bulldawgman49
August 16th, 2012
5:57 pm
I think there are more players like meritt that dont get a chance . I hope the kid has a great career at Georgia .
kral
August 16th, 2012
5:58 pm
sorry boob meant ..bob..you have certainly earned the right to be respected..you know..your always classy ..smart..and above the rest ..dang say that out loud with a straight face..kral..I do not think you really meant it
Dawg For Life
August 16th, 2012
5:59 pm
Oh, and CONGRATS TO MERRITT HALL! LETS BUST SOME HEADS!
Spike 80DF
August 16th, 2012
6:01 pm
sounds like the next J.T. Wall
GTBob
August 16th, 2012
6:05 pm
hey gtboob..even you would have to agree it is a good story.
Fine. I will agree that it is a good story and I commend the guy for working hard.
GTBob
August 16th, 2012
6:07 pm
Most think its yellow and black… yeah. That’s the average answer I get from YOUR “fans”.
Our colors aren’t yellow and black? What are they, yellow and navy?
umyboyBlue17
August 16th, 2012
6:09 pm
It doesn’t take 4.4 speed to a head buster and 233 lbs will certainly do.
LakeDawg
August 16th, 2012
6:12 pm
I love it! Good ole fashioned football players are overlooked in modern football. Every team needs a handful of these types of players.Obviously, you need speed and size to compete at most positions, but there are a few positions where a smart, fundamentally sound, motivated football player can make a difference. FB is one of those positions.While more talented than Hall, Pollack’s main attribute was a nonstop motor. He wasn’t the most talented DE in college football, or even his own team, just the best DE in college football.
Greg
August 16th, 2012
6:12 pm
These are the kind of guys I want to get a ring. I hope Merritt leaves UGA with a ring on his finger.
Greg
August 16th, 2012
6:14 pm
They compare him to Ben Jones with his crazy, do anything mentality. Ben Jones ate grass, ate a praying mantis for 5 bucks, etc. I love football players that are crazy. Those are the scary ones.
rugbydawg79
August 16th, 2012
6:16 pm
Coach Cloy–NSHS–hope you are well coach–I played for Coach Jones—Spartans !!
Nub
August 16th, 2012
6:16 pm
Gotta love this kid …. DFD!! May the slobberknocking commence ….. Junkyard style… Sic um…
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 16th, 2012
6:21 pm
Wish this staff would recruit more players like this guy instead of the jail thugs that have continually embarrassed this program
RJ
August 16th, 2012
6:26 pm
A good kid has worked hard beaten the odds and Bob can only bring negativity into the story simply because it is a UGA story, typical and therefore irrelevant.
poopdawg
August 16th, 2012
6:28 pm
Sounds like he could be another Malcolm Mitchell, a 2 way player. Stanford ’s starting FB was also a starting MLB. Congratulations Mr. Hall. Go Dawgs!
kral
August 16th, 2012
6:29 pm
Well thanks Bob..a little more respect is gained
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
August 16th, 2012
6:29 pm
GT Bob
Tech’s colors are Puke Gold and Boring Blue
Richard Morgan
August 16th, 2012
6:32 pm
This kid sounds like the kind of players we had throughout the early 80’s. Not the biggest or fastest, but seriously tough. Love it.
Old Dawg
August 16th, 2012
7:03 pm
Forget all the negative stories, this is what college football is about.
Good luck and knock a few heads off the next three seasons!
Mobile Dawg
August 16th, 2012
7:11 pm
Maybe Hall will be equivalent to a can of “Fix a Flat” Tire.
tenn.DAWG
August 16th, 2012
7:29 pm
Maybe some of that toughness will rub off on the O-line.
anon1
August 16th, 2012
7:39 pm
Just goes to show that “stars” mean little or nothing. 5 star players with no heart or a bad attitude hurt the team.
big Dawg
August 16th, 2012
8:12 pm
please forward this to Mr Crowell
otn dawg
August 16th, 2012
8:13 pm
Good for him great article, I wish this kid the best. Hope he cracks some skulls this year and splats a couple jackets so GT blob will go silent.
DAWGFAN009
August 16th, 2012
8:17 pm
FEAR THE STACHE!!!
Janie
August 16th, 2012
8:23 pm
UGA fans should be sooooo proud that they’re the only school to have two of the fifteen biggest scandals in college sports. Add that to the Fulmer Cup and the #1 Party School title, and you’ve got UGA, the Cesspool of the South.
SmyrnaGuy
August 16th, 2012
8:29 pm
Good for Hall. Wish him the best. Not a knock against him, but I wish we had a few more scholarship OL and DB players on the team. But since we have about as many scholly players as a team on probation, can’t really complain.
Dawgs for Life
August 16th, 2012
8:37 pm
dear gt bob. you are officially a dumb retard. NO! gt’s colors are not yellow and black. OFFICIALLY, the yellow loosers colors are old gold and white. but i guess a real tech fan wouldn’t need to know that. dumb ass. I’m a Bulldog and I know your school colors better than you do. what a tard
ARdawg
August 16th, 2012
8:40 pm
GTBobbie
Your slip is showing again.
Merritt, congratulations on your fine achievement thus far. DGD.
awesomeb
August 16th, 2012
9:05 pm
I am not a UGA fan, but why do people like Janie come on here and post crap like that? This is a great story about a determined young man. Granted, I am not saying Janie is wrong, but it was totally inappropriate to post that. If you don’t have anything positive to say about the story you just read, then refrain from posting.
bruce12
August 16th, 2012
9:11 pm
Mr hall
the bone shaker
UPDATED: Richt at peace with kicking game after latest display | UGA sports blog
August 16th, 2012
9:14 pm
[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]
AltamahaDawg
August 16th, 2012
9:17 pm
Most of us Dawg Fans are pulling for you Merritt.
Mr. SEc
August 16th, 2012
9:27 pm
My kind of guy!
bubba4dawgs
August 16th, 2012
9:38 pm
Hallelluyah for having a player with guts like Merritt! I sure am looking forward to seeing you play….bring’em on!! This is a great story, Merritt slipped right under the radar!! GO DAWGS!!
bucket
August 16th, 2012
9:49 pm
I’m from Elbert County and remember that game well. Hall led the team down the field and broke our Blue Devil hearts! This is a great story of a young man not being willing to take no for an answer and working his tail off to make the team and be a contributor. I’m sure his size was awesome for an A high school linebacker, but he had to get in the weight room and add 40 lbs to be a player on the big stage and he did that. Only a hater would have something bad or sarcastic to say about this story.
Bravedawg
August 16th, 2012
9:55 pm
GTBob, you would go out on a limb and predict your bugs would beat Georgia Southern?? Now, THAT’S confidence in your team. Come back when you can hang with the BIG DAWGS !!
claytondawg
August 16th, 2012
9:57 pm
Yeah, Janie (or whoever you are), your 15 SECONDS of any kind of fame are up. Your drivel is exactly that–DRIVEL. Nothing else to see here, so we’ll move along with great stories like Merritt Hall.
Bravedawg
August 16th, 2012
9:58 pm
GTBob, my bad. You said your starters COULD HAVE MADE Georgia Southern’s team. Another great show of confidence. See ya in November.
Just Saying
August 16th, 2012
10:14 pm
@Techster
In regards to your comment about convicts coming out of Athens:
has the former GT basketball player been convicted of murder yet or just accused? What about your coach who was recently fired for assaulting a student? Bummer you guys are on the NCAA watch list . Oh yes, any more drunken GT football players arrested in Athens? Wow….when dealing with you I feel like I’m shooting down an unarmed man…..well, not a real manly man if you are a Techster!!!
macrotech
August 16th, 2012
10:48 pm
Erk Russell once told me that he could build a championship team out of smaller, less athletic players IF they had heart…twas proven at GSU! No offense intended, but I’ll never pull for UGA…I WILL pull for a young man like this! Could you imagine how good Crowell would have been if he’d have had half the heart this kid has?! LOVE this story and, even though I’m a Tech fan, find these articles a better read than the ones about the kids that blow their chances. Merritt Hall, with the greatest of sincerity, I say, “You’re a Damn Good Dawg”! Congrats on your EARNED scholarship!!!
Dawgs for Life
August 16th, 2012
10:51 pm
Bravo macrotech! Well said, although I strongly dissagree about the UGA fan bit. At least some tech fans have some class!
maybe you should talk to your friend gtblob or whatever. You know he doesn’t even know what GT’s school colors are?
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;
Notebook: Shorthanded Bulldogs enjoying fewer injuries than usual - Georgia News Feed
August 21st, 2012
3:26 am
[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]
Notebook: Shorthanded Bulldogs enjoying fewer injuries than usual
August 21st, 2012
5:03 am
[...] UGA fullback Merritt Hall proves recruiters wrong [...]