Austin Hall, Memphis Football News: Draft Scout Player News

04/11/20 - OLB Austin Hall, rSr/2020, Memphis

He appeared suddenly on the computer screen, wearing a black T-shirt with pink lettering for the Warehouse Performance Institute. A brick wall served as the backdrop. "Austin Hall. University of Memphis. No. 25. Linebacker. DB. Special teams," he said for an introduction. And so began Hall's virtual pro day, where he did all the drills and measurements he was supposed to do on campus with the rest of Memphis football's NFL Draft hopefuls at the Tigers' official pro day. This, though, was filmed last weekend at a converted warehouse and a high school practice field in Bessemer, Alabama. It was the latest concession to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which turned the NFL Draft process, and the Collierville native's upcoming wedding, into more nerve-wracking endeavors than they already were.

"All these years you could have had a chance to go to the NFL, and you pick the time it's most hectic," Hall said this week, "It's definitely challenging to even get seen by scouts or even talk to any of them. It's definitely hard." The NFL's decision to push forward with its annual draft despite the global health crisis further stacked the odds for Hall, and the other fringe prospects like him from Memphis this year. As usual, there will be 255 college football players selected over seven rounds and three days when the 2020 NFL draft begins on April 23. And following the conclusion of that, more will be signed as undrafted free agents. But the selections will be made virtually, via computers and conference calls, with NFL executives scattered across the country in accordance with social distancing regulations. - Memphis Commercial Appeal

rSr/2020