When the Bucs drafted defensive tackle Logan Hall with the first pick in the second round in 2022 they had high hopes he would make an impact in his first season. However, like most rookie defensive tackles it takes time to get adjusted to the NFL, the speed of the game and the size of opposing lineman. Hall still had a solid rookie campaign and showed flashes of why the Bucs made him the 33rd overall selection. The team turned down multiple offers to move out of the coveted top spot in the second round because it had such strong convictions about Hall.

While he didn’t quite meet his lofty goal of six sacks last year he was able to get to the quarterback for 2.5 sacks. When looking back at former Bucs defensive tackles that is par for the course. Former first-rounders Warren Sapp, Gerald McCoy and Vita Vea all notched three sacks in their respective rookie seasons as well, and went on to make at least one Pro Bowl.

A Bigger, Better Logan Hall Takes The Field For Year 2

Now coming into year two, Logan Hall feels a huge difference in where he can take his game and it comes from understanding the game more while also bulking up in the offseason, as the coaches encouraged him to do.

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

“I really do feel great,” Hall says. “The change is night and day. The speed of the game. I’ve gotten stronger. So I’m really excited for this season.”

Hall spent the offseason hitting the weights and the film room as he looked to get stronger and understand Todd Bowles’ defense more. He added over 10 pounds of muscle this offseason bringing him closer to 300 pounds as opposed to the 283 pounds he was listed at last season. 

“Just strength and knowing the defense,” Hall said about what he focused on in the offseason. “I would say number one is strength, just getting stronger. I had a good offseason. But besides that just knowing the defense. Because as good as you may be, if you’re not playing fast and you don’t know what to do you’re going to struggle. So I’ve definitely taken the time to learn the defense better and I think I’m in a good spot.”

Hall didn’t just take the time to learn his own position but every position on the defensive line and on the defense as a whole. While he’s not quite ready to put personal goals and a sack total out there, his biggest goal is to just be more consistent and take a step as a leader in the clubhouse.

“I’m not going to go into that just yet.” Hall said with a smile. “But some things I have made a point on to myself is that I want to know every single position on the defensive line – really the whole field. I feel like I know every position pretty well. But just being a consistent guy and a leader. I’m kind of leading from the bottom, but I want to be more vocal this year. So I’m excited for that.”

Logan Hall Is Excited To Work With Calijah Kancey

Logan Hall’s offseason work hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s praise from both general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles. The former pointing out his confidence and the way Hall has carried himself in the building. The former second-round pick knows he has an excellent opportunity in front of him to compete for the starting job alongside stalwart Vita Vea and rising rookie Calijah Kancey. Hall is aware he’s going to have to earn it but is excited for the opportunity.

Bucs NT Vita Vea and DT Logan Hall – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It’s really exciting,” Hall said. “Vita (Vea), Calijah (Kancey), everybody on this D-line we’re all great players, so I’m going to have to go out there and earn it for sure. But I’m excited to compete and learn along the way.”

It’s early in camp, but Hall is a currently a starter alongside Vea and Kancey in Bowles’ 3-4 defense. When the defense moves to nickel, it’s typically been Vea and Kancey starting inside at the two defensive tackle spots as the Bucs transition to a four-man front.

In terms of learning from the veterans on the defense last season, perhaps no one was more influential on Hall than newly re-signed Will Gholston. The 10-year pro took Hall under his wing last year showing him the ins and outs and how to be a professional. It’s something Hall has taken into this season and was excited to see Gholston brought back for another go around with the team. 

“I was real fired up when I saw Will (Gholston),” Hall said. “I didn’t even know until I walked in and saw Will in the locker room. So I was real fired up to see him. I learned a lot from Will. Will’s the toughest dude I’ve ever seen in my life. Ten years in and he’s still going strong – still back. Will is a student of the game and there’s probably nothing on this defense he doesn’t know about. The things I took away from him is just being studious and things like that.”

With a new rookie on the defensive line, Hall isn’t the young guy on the team anymore. As he takes a step into becoming a veteran and the leader he wants to be, he’ll help Kancey in anyway he can. Although he notes that Kancey is already acclimating well, one of those ways is by brushing this year’s first-round pick up on his rookie duties.

Bucs DT Logan Hall and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“There’s a whole lot that Calijah can do already that I wasn’t doing when I came in,” Hall said. “So there’s not a whole lot that I’ve had to teach him on. I’ve had to coach him up on the rookie duties like snacks and getting the fridge stocked and stuff like that. But as far as football, he’s a hell of a player. He’s really smart and he’s doing really well for himself.”

As Hall enters his sophomore campaign with the full understanding of his position and defense as a whole it brings a certain peace of mind to him. Being able to go out and execute his assignments without overthinking and just playing football from a reactionary stand point is freeing for the second-year player as he looks to make an impact on this Bucs team.

“I would just say it brings peace of mind,” Hall explained. “Every year you’re kind of relinquished from that stress. Thinking more so when it’s just reacting you feel free and you just feel fast”