Johnathan Hall heads into the fall with real momentum, and Utah may have a linebacker ready to turn that into something bigger in 2026.
Hall put together a strong 2025 season, and there’s a case to be made that he could grow into one of the Big 12’s top linebackers. He brings the kind of traits that jump off the tape - a physical tackler who closes fast and gets to the ball in a hurry.
The one thing that’s still been part of the process is the transition to his new position, something he’s been working through over the past two years. Now, with that experience behind him, a big senior year is on the table.
Even with senior status, Hall doesn’t carry himself like a player above the rest of the room. He made that clear when talking about his role with the younger guys.
"I'm one of the guys," said Hall. "I don't feel like I'm anything above anybody else. I treat the underclassmen the same as they treat me."
That attitude fits a Utah linebacker group that Hall clearly values. He described it as a deep, tight unit where everyone is ready to go.
"We got a great group of core guys in the linebacker room," said Hall. "Any of these guys could come in and play right now.
We all play as one; we're a connected group. We watch film together, we practice together, we do everything together.
It's all love between the linebackers for sure."
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