Coming into this season, Bucs rookie defensive lineman Logan Hall was not expected to contribute a lot, at least right away. Yet an injury to starting defensive tackle Akiem Hicks has opened a door for more playing time in the last couple of weeks, allowing Hall to make the most of the opportunity for increased snaps.

Bucs DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Hall played 38 snaps, or 58% of the Bucs defensive snaps, against the Falcons last Sunday, which was the most of his young career. Getting meaningful snaps has allowed him to grow not only his pass-rushing prowess but also his confidence.

“I would just say my confidence, confidence is everything,” Hall said Wednesday after practice. “The more I go out on the field, the more I realize that I do belong here. I do have the capabilities to play and win, I just have to keep stacking bricks, and eventually it’ll be at a high level. Just gotta keep stacking days and keep learning and soaking up as much as I can. I think I’ll be in a good spot.”

Hall’s impact has been magnified by his versatility in lining up all across the defensive line as a three-tech defensive tackle and five-tech defensive end, as he played on Sunday. Will Gholston, a veteran along the defensive line, has seen Hall’s impact coming even before the season started.

“He’s out there doing his thing, that’s a credit to him,” Gholston said. “Like I said during the beginning of the season, he was going to ball, and that’s what he’s been doing. He’s taking the step that he’s been given, and he’s starting to translate the practice field to the game field. Once he starts being able to move a thousand miles an hour every single play, he is going to have a great career. I’m trying to hold back certain words, but he is going to have a great career.”

This sentiment was also echoed after a practice when defensive lineman Rakeem Nuñez-Roches mentioned that “[Hall] has a great niche for pass-rush,” adding that “I really feel like he can bring something positive to the game and impact the game immediately.” 

‘Aww Snap I’m Going To Make This’

Getting his first NFL sack against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an excellent way for Hall to enter the sack leaderboard in Week 3, and he added to it this past Sunday by lining up as a defensive end and taking down Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota:

“It was funny because there are certain calls where you jet up the field like that, and that happened to be one of them,” Hall said on the sack. “I got the call I was like ‘Alright man,’ I don’t have any threats on the dive, ‘Let’s go.’ I got up the field, I saw them blow it and I was like, ‘Aww snap, I’m going to make this’ [laughs].

“Mariota’s real shifty so he tried to step up and you know I got real big, long arms so I was able to snatch him – get him down. You do what you’re coached to do, you’re going to end up in a good spot, and that was just a prime example of that.”

While Hall only has five tackles this season, that includes not just his two sacks but also four tackles for loss and quarterback hits apiece. When he has been in good spots, he has made key plays.

Hall Is Growing As A Pass Rusher

Bucs DTs Logan Hall and Vita Vea and OLBs Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Shaq Barrett – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While his career is only just beginning, Hall will surely learn a lot this year playing a part on one of the NFL’s top front sevens. He really grew over his last college season at Houston statistically, finishing his senior season with thirteen tackles for loss and six sacks. 

He mentioned there are some notable differences now in the NFL from his time in college, but he has begun to grow more comfortable with his role within the defense.

“I would say the biggest difficulty for me, or the biggest change was the install,” Hall said. “The playbook is significantly bigger here than it was in Houston.” 

With his feet wet and under him, there is only room to grow into a bigger role in the future. With two sacks and growing confidence, so far it looks like the Bucs have made a wise investment for their defensive line both now and in the future in Logan Hall.