Is Hall the Next Ely Cornerback?

It looks as if Blanche Ely’s run of churning out BCS caliber cornerbacks will continue in the 2011 class. In 2008 it was Patrick (Johnson) Peterson who now stars at LSU, followed by Minnesota Golden Gopher Michael Carter in 2009, and Wednesday Jabari Price appears to be signing with North Carolina as a member of the 2010 class. Next in line is 5-foot-10, 165-pound Courtney Hall.

“I’ve received letters from Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Wake Forest,” said Hall of the early interest. “Michael said Minnesota is supposed to look at me and Jabari said the same about North Carolina.”

The opportunity to work alongside the aforementioned cornerbacks on a daily basis over the years has benefited Hall’s play. He feels learning from those players has made his strength as a player his ability to stick to wide receivers.

“For me playing cornerback starting with Patrick Peterson coming all the way down to Jabari, from my freshman year I’ve always had a good chance to work on my my one-on-one skills,” said Hall. “Playing one-on-one is probably the best thing I can do on the field as a defensive back.”

As Peterson did his senior season at Ely, Hall lined up at free safety this past fall. A transition to cornerback, his natural position, is probable next fall.

“I talked to (Head) Coach (Rodney) Gray after the season and he was going to move me to cornerback, but said if we are short on a free safety, then he might have to move me back in the center of the field so I can help on both sides of the field.”

Hall participated in the SoFLAfootball 7-on-7 Showcase where he got the opportunity to face several of the top wide receivers in the area. Hall discussed some of the receivers that stood out to him during the showcase.

“The first time I saw Kelvin Benjamin (Glades Central) I couldn’t believe that was the kids actual size. From me reading about him and watching some of his highlights I didn’t know he would be that big. He’s a good player, probably the best receiver out there.

“Robbie from South Plantation, when we played them in the regular season he didn’t seem to have that many moves, he didn’t show me that much, but when I really got a chance to see him at the workout he really showed me a lot.

“Ezekiel Turner from Delray Atlantic, me and Zeke went to the same middle school together. I always knew Zeke was a good ball player, and always would produce in anything he would do, so I was kind of looking forward to see him. He was doing real good.”

Hall intends to take part in the Under Armour Combine February 21, in Davie, Florida next.