April 4, 2004

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - There is something different about Purdue's middle linebacker this year - his size. At first glance, sophomore George Hall looks like he belongs in a three-point stance. Although the 6-foot-2, 246-pounder is physically different from Niko Koutouvides, the man he replaces in the middle, their style of play is eerily similar.

Like Koutouvides, Hall is a big hitter, receiving the team's Hammer Award last spring given to the squad's most outstanding hitter. The two also are both from Connecticut and developed a bond that was as much of an apprenticeship for Hall as a friendship.

"When I was behind Niko, he taught me a lot as far as tackling and intensity," Hall said. "I came here knowing that I had to put two years behind him and that this year was going to be my year. Our playing styles are alike, we're real physical, and we both do a lot of talking. It's going to be some big shoes to fill, but I think that when I leave, they're going to be saying the same thing about me."

While Hall appreciates the talent and skill of former linebackers Koutouvides, Gilbert Gardner and Landon Johnson, he is quick to point out he is a different kind of player and opponents will have a change of pace with this year's linebacker corps.

"I'm more of a power dude," Hall said. "We haven't had a lot of guys 250 pounds, but I think it's going to bring a presence for our defense. When other teams come out there, they are used to seeing skinny, fast linebackers. This year, they will see big, brawly guys, so I think that's really going to change the tempo for opponents. They know they will have to come at us hard this year because we will have bigger dudes playing the position, guys with a lot of skill, and guys who are ready to go."

If you glance at Hall's broad shoulders and swelled upper arms, it is easy to see how his original position with the Boilermakers was at fullback before shifting to linebacker last season. Hall noted that both positions require intensity and a love for physical contact. Although fullback is a difficult position to play, Hall remarked that playing linebacker requires a different type of intensity than the straight-lined hitting style at fullback.

"At fullback, basically I'm trying to go full speed at somebody," Hall said. "It's similar to playing linebacker in a way, but I think linebacker is more of a tempo. You have to be under control."

Hall is one of the few Boilermakers on defense with substantial game-experience, recording 13 tackles last season while playing in all 13 games. He had a career-high three solo tackles vs. Arizona and at Indiana. Purdue's coaching staff is banking on Hall gaining momentum from last season's game exposure.

It is logical to suggest that Hall isn't an ideal fit for Purdue's defensive schemes because his considerable bulk is in contrast to the thinner, more athletic look of previous Boilermaker linebackers. The coaching staff disagrees with this assessment. They love Hall's fierce style of play and intensity in the huddle.

"George is very physical," said defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brock Spack. "He's what you want in a middle linebacker. He's perfect. He needs to work on some things, but the more experience he gets, the more confidence he will get."

Hall relishes the chance to head this year's Boilermakers on defense. His responsibilities at middle linebacker, the positions where the majority of defensive alignments are called, immediately place him the burden of developing into a leader in his first year as a starter. Hall gets excited just talking about it, raising his voice and cracking a smile of confidence at the thought of being a leader.

"Playing middle linebacker is mostly about getting the defense set up, being the leader of the defense and controlling the tempo," Hall said. "You're the man of the huddle, if your people are getting out of control, you have to control them. We all have calls to give, it's just about controlling the huddle. At middle linebacker, you're the man in the huddle. You have to have people respect you in the huddle because you're the captain of the defense."

A motivated player, Hall's passion for the game is fueled by his desire to succeed as a unit and a defense. His love of the game revolves around the concept of teamwork rather than individual merit. Hall notes that all of the individual achievements only happen when you are surrounded by success. He says that team unity is what separates football from other more individual sports.

"I like the camaraderie with the guys, that's probably the best thing," Hall said. "Forget all the hype, you meet some friends and you go to war with each other for four years."

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