Football season has finally begun as all 32 NFL teams open Training Camp this week.
In this week’s episode of The Sports Extra Podcast, we’re talking to Jets starting cornerback Bryce Hall about his second season, having a shot at being a “rookie,” and becoming a father during camp.
The Bishop McDevitt star talks about his transition to the NFL from Virginia, and what it’s like to share a name (and social media presence) with Bryce Hall.
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Playing career
DURHAM, NC – OCTOBER 01: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers intercepts a pass intended for Anthony Nash #83 of the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) 
DURHAM, NC – OCTOBER 01: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts after an intercepting a pass against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) 
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 14: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers intercepts a pass against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) 
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 14: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers intercepts a pass intended for Anthony Ratliff-Williams #17 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) 
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 28: Jester Weah #85 of the Pittsburgh Panthers cannot make a catch while being defended by Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on October 28, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) 
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – NOVEMBER 02: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers disrupts a pass by Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during a game at Scott Stadium on November 2, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) 
BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 23: Wide receiver Tre Turner #11 of the Virginia Tech Hokies catches a touchdown pass against cornerback Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) 
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 14: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers breaks up a pass intended for Tamorrion Terry #15 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first half during a game at Scott Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) 
MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 11: Bryce Hall #34 of the Virginia Cavaliers is carted off the field after sustaining an injury against the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 11, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Hall played his high school football in Harrisburg for the Bishop McDevitt Crusaders. At University of Virginia, he emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in the country. An ankle injury in his senior season ended his college playing career and lowered his draft stock.
Headed into the 2020 NFL Draft before his injury, Hall was projected as a Day 2 selection in the second or third round. The Jets drafted Hall in the fifth round, which many experts predicted could be a steal if the CB was able to return to form off the ankle injury.
On the Jets in his rookie season in 2020, Hall rehabbed that injury to open the season. He saw his first action against the Patriots on Nov. 9, 2020 where he had two total tackles.2
After that game, Hall became a starter for New York, and started the final seven games of the season.
In the offseason, many expected the Jets to address the secondary either in the NFL Draft or in free agency. The Jets did neither, proving first-year head coach Robert Saleh has faith in what he’s got.
“I’ve said it before. I think the difference between player A and player Z in the entire league—I’m not talking about superstars, I’m not talking about the Aaron Donald’s of the world, they’re unique,” Saleh said after OTAs. “But the difference between player A and player Z is minimal and the only thing that keeps player Z from becoming player A is an opportunity and reps.”
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver David Moore, left, reaches for the ball as New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) 
New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall (37) during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) 
New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall (37) in action during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) 
New York Jets cornerback Bryce Hall (37) prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) 
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 13: David Moore #83 of the Seattle Seahawks misses a pass against Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets during the second quarter in the game at Lumen Field on December 13, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) 
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 09: Jakobi Meyers #16 of the New England Patriots makes a catch as Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets defends during the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 09, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) 
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets celebrates following an interception during the second quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) 
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets celebrates with teammates following an interception during the second quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) 
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets rushes after an interception ahead of Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of a game at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets celebrates with teammates following an interception during the second quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) 
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 20: Bryce Hall #37 of the New York Jets returns his interception during a 23-20 New York Jets win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Hall says he’s up to the challenge and looks forward to having a full and regular NFL season in 2021-22.
Additionally, Hall and his wife are expecting a baby girl any day now. Hall told podcast host Allie Berube that he will get 48 hours of paternity leave when the baby is born.
Also in the episode
Plus the podcast covers your Camp Concerns and the most random storylines out there after the first week of practices. How good will Micah Parsons be with the Cowboys? Will the Eagles trade for Deshaun Watson? How concerned should the Ravens be about COVID-19 list? And more!
Meet the voices behind the podcast: Allie Berube and Logan Reever. The Sports Extra Podcast is designed to bring listeners closer to the games, teams and athletes they love. The podcast will dive deeper than the hosts can go on TV.
The Sports Extra Podcast releases episodes every Thursday. The goal is to talk about national sports with a local flair. Allie & Logan bring guests on each week to share their perspectives on sports.
You can catch The Sports Extra Podcast presented by abc27 starting April 22nd. The team drops new episodes every Thursday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or right here on abc27.com.
