P. J. Hall Named To FCS Defensive Watch List
7/15/2015 11:08:00 AM | Football
P. J. Hall, defensive end for Sam Houston's defending Southland Conference football championship team, has been named to the STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List by The Sports Network.
The 6-1 270-pound sophomore from Seguin is one of 22 players on the “Watch List” which features many of the nation's most aggressive pass rushers and disruptive players.
Hall debuted in 2014 as arguably the best freshman defensive player in FCS, earning All-Southland Conference first team and All-America third-team honors. He was named Southland Conference “Freshman of the Year” and was the top defensive player in the voting for the Jerry Rice FCS national “Freshman of the Year” award, finishing third in the balloting.
A physical pass rusher who often is double-teamed, Hall led the Southland Conference and stood fourth nationally with 30 tackles for loss (one stop short of the Sam Houston season school record). Hall totaled 93 tackles, 12 sacks, eight pass break-ups and four forced fumbles. He led the FCS in blocked kicks with five.
Hall is one of three Southland Conference players on the “Watch List” joining Southeastern Louisiana cornerback Harlan Miller and Central Arkansas defensive end Jonathan Woodard. Hall already has been named to two FCS preseason All-America squads.
Seven finalists for 2014 national defensive player of the year honors returned to the preseason list: defensive ends Woodard from UCA and James Cowser of Southern Utah; South Carolina State defensive tackle Javon Hargrave; Gardner-Webb nose guard O.J. Mau; linebackers Don Cherry of Villanova and Connor Underwood of Indiana State; and safety Donald Payne of Stetson.
Also named to the preseason watch list were defensive ends Victor Ochi of Stony Brook, Derek Rivers of Youngstown State and Chima Uzowihe of Liberty; Jacksonville State defensive tackle Devaunte Sigler; linebackers Kourtney Berry of Alabama State, Cory Magwood of Furman, Deon King of Norfolk State, Pat Meehan of Illinois State, James Rentz of Sacred Heart, Luke Rhodes of William & Mary and Darnell Sankey of Sacramento State; and cornerbacks Casey DeAndrade of New Hampshire and Jermaine Hough of Jacksonville State.
The breakdown by position: nine linebackers, six defensive ends, three cornerbacks, two defensive tackles, one nose guard and one safety.
The STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List can undergo revision during the 2015 season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on the winner following the regular season.
Also this season, STATS will honor the outstanding offensive player in the FCS, a freshman player of the year and a coach of the year with season-ending awards.
