One of Clemson’s top offensive line targets was back on campus over the weekend.
Three-star Brendan Hall (South Mecklenburg, NC) was back for the first time since picking up an offer back in June. A more than two-hour lightning delay made the night longer than most were anticipating, but Hall and the rest of the recruits on hand made the most of their time.
“We were in the recruiting lounge,” Hall told The Clemson Insider. “They had drinks, they had pool tables upstairs, ping-pong, all that kind of stuff. They had games laid out for family, so we were actually pretty occupied, which was cool.”
Hall’s father, Les Hall, was an offensive lineman for the Tigers from 1998-92, making Brendan a legacy recruit. Growing up with a father who played at Clemson certainly gives him a unique connection to the program.
While watching the Tigers grind out a 22-7 win over Georgia Southern, Hall kept a close eye on the five guys up front. While he admits there is some room for improvement, he believes the unit is close to putting it together, especially knowing they are being coached up by Matt Luke and Carson Cramer.
“I definitely see some room for improvement, but I also think they work well together,” he said. “I know coach Luke and coach Cramer can definitely get them whipped around and make them an ACC powerhouse, hopefully. Return them back to where Clemson was dominating.
“It takes one game, one play to wake you up. I really do believe they are right there. It is just going to take that game, that play, for them to say, hey let’s get this on the road.”
Virginia and Virginia Tech have already gotten game-day visits this season. The 6-foot-7, 310-pounder still has plans to visit South Carolina, Florida State, North Carolina and Georgia. He plans to then circle back to Clemson for the rivalry game against the Gamecocks to cap off the regular season.
While Hall has yet to release a top schools list, he says the schools getting visits this season are the ones he currently likes the most. Although as he gets deeper into his recruitment, that could certainly change. Penn State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Purdue, Maryland, NC State and Rutgers represent some of his other offers.
Being a legacy recruit, Hall is quick to acknowledge that there is a sentimental pull to Clemson. However, he’s made it a point to go into the recruiting process with an open mind, intent on finding the best fit for him.
“I do, obviously. Any kid is going to want to look up to their father and follow in his footsteps, but I have not let that influence where I have wanted to go,” Hall said. “All these places, they basically have the same budget, they got the same resources, they got the same funding. What really makes the difference is the people there, right?
“Clemson could be a place where the coaching staff is terrible, they are awful, they don’t respond well, and why would I want to go there just because my dad went there? But fortunately, it is the complete opposite. Coach Luke and Cramer, they have been nothing but awesome.”
The three-star talent is also in no rush to make a decision. In fact, it might not be until after his junior season before he officially puts out a list of top schools or finalists.
At the same time, he does have a pretty good fix on what he is looking for in a school, and the visits he takes this season will go a long way towards helping him start narrowing down his list of choices.
“Number one is just the staff,” Hall said. “They are the reason some of these players are where they are today. They help bring you up. Resources — everybody has money. They got the facilities and all that. But it is the coaching staff that truly defines that team. The people you want to surround yourself with. Somebody you can lean back on, especially 20 years down the road.”