Michigan's Hall has T'ville roots
By Charlie Anderson

Leon Hall breaks up a pass against Northwestern.

The University of Michigan's outstanding defensive back Leon Hall who hails from Vista, California has certainly made a name for himself during the four years he has worn the maize and blue for the Wolverine football team. Playing for one of the perennial power houses in the Big Ten Conference he has played in 50 games during his career at Ann Arbor, starting 37 of them, which ties him for second all-time among Michigan defensive backs. Along the way this young man, who's off the field demeanor has been described as low-key, quiet and unassuming, has garnered the respect of his coaches and fellow players and grabbed the attention of a lot of people, including those voting for many of the post season football honors in 2006 with his full throttle play on the field.

Michigan head coach, Lloyd Carr called Hall, who was a consensus first team All Big Ten selection in 2006 following a second team selection in 2005, the most technically sound corner he has coached at Michigan. Obviously Carr wasn't the only one taking notice of Hall's outstanding ability, as the senior cornerback was named to the AP, Walter Camp and AFCA Coaches 2006 first team All- America squads and was a finalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award and the Bronko Nagurski Award this season. His efforts didn't go unnoticed by those prognosticators predicting the top NFLprospects for the upcoming spring draft, either. ESPN expert Mel Kiper has him as the number three ranked senior available for the NFLdraft while Scouts Inc. shows him as the number eight potential drafteligible player.

In his 2006 season statistics, compiled before the Wolverines' 32-18 Rose Bowl loss to Southern California, he was third on the team in tackles with 41, including two for a loss; had one sack; two fumble recoveries; three interceptions and 18 pass break-ups.The 18 pass break-ups tied him with Marlin Jackson (2002) for first on the Michigan single season record list. Among his career numbers, his 43 pass break-ups put him first on the Michigan career list while his 12 interceptions tied him for fourth all-time in that category.

Without a doubt Leon Hall has accomplished a lot during his days at Michigan and appears to be destined for another opportunity to excel in the NFLin the future. It is also for certain he has made his family and friends proud of him including some that reside right here in Thomasville.

Mr. Alex Davis who is Hall's great uncle is not only proud of all his great nephew has done but is quick to point out his connection to Thomasville.

It seems the younger Leon Hall is the grandson of the late Leon Hall who was the brother of Davis and his sister Mildred who also lives in Thomasville and the great grandson of the late Emma Lee Burroughs also a native of Thomasville.

According to Davis the football ability of his great nephew runs in the family with the older Hall having been an outstanding football player in his day as well, playing his high school football here in Thomasville at what was A. L. Martin High School in 1944 - 1946.

After finishing school, the elder Hall moved away from Thomasville and spent 27 years in the U. S. Army including a tour in Korea where he was severely wounded.

The family eventually settled in California and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

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