Gabe Hall agrees to UDFA agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tom Pelissero reports that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed Baylor Bears defensive tackle Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Hall as an undrafted free agent. Hall’s final season with the Bears was not as successful as he had hoped, finishing 3-9 in 2023.
The former Baylor defensive tackle played five seasons at Waco, Texas, playing several positions along the Bears’ defensive line. Hall does not have the classic NFL interior defensive tackle physique, measuring six-foot-five and weighing 290 pounds, which has led to him seeing some play on the outside for Baylor in 2023.
Hall concluded the 2023 season with 17 total tackles, seven solo, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in 12 games. That production mirrored his sophomore season with the Bears, except he had more tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks while playing in one fewer game. Hall’s greatest season was in 2022, when he recorded 37 tackles, 17 solo, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and returned one fumble for a touchdown.
Hall attended Waller High School, which is located in a tiny town northwest of Houston, Texas. Coming out of high school, as a member of the 2019 recruiting class, he was ranked 791 nationally, 81 among defensive linemen, and 103 among all Texas recruits as a three-star prospect, with an On3 Industry Ranking recruit rating of 85.8, based on a weighted average of all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Gabriel Hall
Gabe Hall has a prospect grade of 5.97 from NFL.com, classifying him as a ‘Average Backup Or Special-Teamer.’ Lance Zierlein, an NFL.com analyst, evaluated the former Baylor defensive tackle’s abilities and how it will translate to the next level.
“Hall’s draft ranking with each team will be determined by system and how much the organization prioritizes attributes over tape. Despite his imposing size and length, Hall struggles to play with consistent command at the point of attack and is frequently defeated in the final phase. He has the initial quickness, bend, and hand usage to improve against the run, but it isn’t guaranteed. Hall is best suited as a 4i- or 5-technique in an odd front, where he can utilize his agility and length as a pass rusher. He has the tools to have a bigger impact at the next level for a defensive line coach that is willing to work with him.”
According to NFL.com, Thomas’s strengths include the following: Physical specimen of outstanding size, length, and build. Explodes out of his stance as an upfield pass rusher; Rushes with adequate hand-fighting and persistently finds an opening; Determined to keep his rush path against aggressive quarterbacks; Makes initial contact with a proper bend and a leveraged punch; Possesses the potential to become a better run defender than tape indicates.
Thomas’s flaws are mentioned as follows: Height causes unpredictability in contact balance as an interior rusher; Has difficulties flipping hips and shoulders at the top of the rush. Down blocks have a tendency to wash him out of his runs. Should concentrate on maintaining pads square during lateral interactions. In September, I was completely worn out as a run defender versus Texas.
