Breece Hall enters the 2022 draft process as one of the most accomplished running backs in recent history. Over Hall’s tenure at Iowa State, he has amassed nearly 4,000 rushing yards in three years. Hall has also received many awards and honors in this time span. Hall’s achievements are a testament to his productivity and durability throughout his career. Hall is a patient runner that allows holes to fully develop before he hits them. When in the hole, Hall has the burst and top speed to take the play the distance—this is the reason for a lot of his long TDs. Hall is not a back that you categorize as an overly creative or dynamic playmaker, but he should be viewed as a back who can take advantage of the running lanes that the offensive line has created. In the NFL, Hall should be best suited as a back in a zone scheme that takes advantage of his naturally patient running style.

Ideal Role: Part of a running back by committee

Scheme Fit: Zone scheme/One cut and get vertical

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Keith Sanchez

Games watched: Iowa (2021), Texas (2021), Baylor (2021) West Virginia (2021), Oklahoma (2021)

Best Game Studied: Texas (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Iowa (2021)

Vision: Hall plays in a zone run scheme that requires backs to scan the frontside and the backside of the play. Hall does a good job of identifying openings created by the offensive line and bursting through them. He has the vision to work through traffic at the line of scrimmage and make his way to the second level of defenses

Footwork: See Above.

Contact Balance: Hall has a lean lower half that reduces his ability to maintain balance while being contacted by defenders. Hall is capable of spinning out of tackles but it takes him a while to re-gather his balance. Hall is a 50/50 percentage runner when it comes to breaking tackles.

Durability: Hall has received a high volume of carries for the Cyclones offense. During his time with the team, Hall only had minor injuries, most of which he was able to play through. His frame is thinner than what is standard for NFL running backs, so on the next level he should be in a system where the carries are split for him to have an extended NFL career.

Explosiveness: See Above.

Versatility: Hall seems to be more comfortable in zone run schemes where he can stretch the play and quickly get vertical. In power run, schemes he doesn’t possess the power to run through defenders. Because of this Hall, has limited versatility and should primarily fit in a zone run scheme.

Elusiveness: Hall’s elusiveness is best utilized when he can evade initial penetration from defenders. Once he gets the handoff and feels penetration, Hall does a good job of performing a jump-cut to evade defenders and find daylight. In the open field, Hall can make a slight cut that changes the angle that defenders have on him and allows him to minimize the area that defenders have to contact.

Ball Security: This past year, Hall has shown that ball security is an issue. Against Iowa, Hall had a big fumble that cost his team instant points and swung the momentum of the game. Hall needs to improve on his forearm and hand strength. Hall also has a habit of letting the ball get away from his body, making it easily available for defenders to attempt to punch the ball out.

Passing Down Skills: As a pass-catcher, Hall is inconsistent in his ability to secure the pass. At Iowa State, Hall is asked to run swing routes or come in motion in the flats after he checks for his pass protection responsibilities. Hall is not a reliable catcher but can be a solid check-down option for quarterbacks

Discipline: See Above.

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus Grade: 76.42/100 (Third Round Valuation)

Crabbs Grade: 74.50/100

Marino Grade: 74.50/100

Harris Grade: 75.00/100

Keith Sanchez: 74.00/100

Weissman Grade: 82.00/100

Parson Grade: 75.00/100