Leon Hall

Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall (born December 9, 1984) is an American football defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Michigan, and earned consensus All-American honors. Hall was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

Early years
Hall was born in Oceanside, California. He attended Vista High School where he played wide receiver and defensive back. He also played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

College career
Hall attended the University of Michigan, and played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 2003 to 2006. As a freshman, he played in all 13 of his team's games and made three starts. He finished the year with 26 tackles and three interceptions. Hall was a first-team All-American freshman.

In his sophomore season, Hall once again played all the Wolverines' games, making nine starts. Hall totaled 48 tackles, two interceptions, and recovered two fumbles.

In 2005, Hall started all 12 games on the Michigan schedule, registering 61 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and one recovered fumble. He was named to the All-Big Ten Conference second team.

Hall started all 13 games as a senior in 2006. He intercepted three passes including one against the Notre Dame and another against the cross-state rival Michigan State. Hall led the Big Ten in pass breakups with 18, tying Michigan record set by Marlin Jackson in 2002, and recorded 35 tackles. Hall was a unanimous choice for the All-Big Ten Conference first feam and contended for a number of national awards. He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. Hall also was first team AFCA All-American.

Hall is Michigan's all-time leader with 43 passes broken up. He is tied for fourth on Michigan's career interception list with 12, and set a school record with an 83-yard fumble return against Northwestern in 2005.

College awards and honors

 * National awards
 * First-team Freshman All-American (2003)
 * Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist (2005)
 * Jim Thorpe Award finalist (2006)
 * Lott Trophy quarterfinalist (2006)
 * Consensus first-team All-American (2006)


 * Conference honors
 * Honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference (2004)
 * Second-team All-Big Ten Conference (2005)
 * First-team All-Big Ten Conference (2006)

2007 NFL Draft
After posting an impressive 40 time of 4.38 seconds at the NFL Combine, Hall was drafted in the first round (18th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Hall was expected to start alongside Johnathan Joseph, who was drafted by Cincinnati a year before, and veteran corner Deltha O'Neal.

Cincinnati Bengals
On July 29, 2007, Hall was signed by the Bengals to a five-year deal for near $13.6 million overall, with $8.2 million dollars guaranteed. During practice in Georgetown, Kentucky, Hall was said to have made a big impact. A big hit on receiver Reggie McNeal was only one of his three tackles in the 64-minute scrimmage. Sports Illustrated writer Peter King said that Hall was going to be an immediate impact rookie in the secondary after watching one of the Bengals' training camps.

In the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, Hall had a breakout performance as the starting corner position with four tackles and a fumble recovery. Hall finished the 2007 season as the interception leader with five, tying a Bengals record for most interceptions recorded in a rookie season. In the 2008 season, Hall continued to improve as he tallied 75 tackles (61 solo), 24 pass break-ups, three interceptions and a touchdown. Hall tied the franchise record by nabbing three interceptions came week 16 game against the Cleveland Browns returning one for a 50-yard touchdown. At season's end, Hall was praised by the Bengals' defensive back coach Kevin Coyle for his improvement.

In 2009, Hall continued to elevate his game as he recorded 71 tackles (58 solo), two forced fumbles, 24 pass break-ups and a career-high in interceptions with six. Late in the season, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King called and Hall and Joseph "the best cornerback tandem in the NFL."

After the season, USA Today named Hall to their annual "All-Joe" team after he wasn't voted to the Pro Bowl despite his standout play.

On November 8, 2010, Hall's then teammate Terrell Owens gave him the nickname "Mr. Cause-a-fumble."

On September 2, 2011 Hall signed a four-year contract extension worth $39 Million with $14.1 guaranteed. On November 13, Hall injured his achilles tendon in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the following day he was placed on injured reserve.

Personal
On November 18, 2012, during WEBN's broadcast of the Bengals' regular season matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, it was revealed that Hall's full name is Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall.