Derick Hall Bio
Derick Hall is an American professional football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 19, 2001, in Gulfport, Mississippi, he overcame significant health challenges early in his life before emerging as a talented pass rusher during his high school years. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Early Life and Background
Derick Hall was born on March 19, 2001, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was born four months premature, and was without a heartbeat at birth before being resuscitated. Weighing just two pounds and one ounce and experiencing brain bleeding, he spent a week on life support. Believing that he would likely remain in a permanent vegetative state, doctors advised his mother, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, to allow life support to be discontinued, but she refused.
Hall spent five months in the neonatal intensive care unit on a ventilator before finally going home with his family. In his early years he was frequently hospitalized and suffered from asthma. Despite these difficult beginnings, he channeled his energy into sports, beginning to play flag football at age four and switching to tackle football at age nine. He attended Gulfport High School, where he played on both sides of the ball.
Path to American Football
Coming out of high school, Derick Hall was rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, ranked as the 147th overall recruit and the eighth-ranked weakside defensive end in his class. His strong performance at Gulfport High School drew the attention of several college programs across the Southeastern Conference. Hall ultimately committed to play college football at Auburn University, choosing the Tigers over Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
Hall cited his relationship with Auburn assistant coach Rodney Garner as the primary reason for his commitment, signaling the importance of trust and mentorship in his recruitment. That bond helped him transition smoothly into the Auburn program, where he would develop into one of the most disruptive defensive players in the SEC over the following four seasons.
Derick Hall Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Derick Hall enrolled at Auburn University and joined the Tigers football program ahead of the 2019 season. As a freshman and sophomore, he was used primarily as a rotational player along the defensive line, working to refine his technique and build the strength necessary for elite-level competition. During those two seasons, he recorded a total of 34 tackles and four sacks, establishing a foundation for his future role as a starter.
Auburn Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Hall became a full-time starter as a junior for the Auburn Tigers, where he recorded 52 total tackles and nine sacks. His ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks and pursue runners sideline to sideline earned him second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2021. Building on that progress, he returned for his senior season and continued to dominate opposing offensive lines.
As a senior, Hall recorded 60 total tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception, earning first-team All-SEC recognition in 2022. He finished his Auburn career with 147 total tackles and 19.5 sacks, cementing his reputation as one of the top defensive ends in program history. His combination of production, leadership, and athleticism made him a highly coveted prospect entering the 2023 NFL draft.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
Derick Hall was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 37th pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, a pick the team had previously acquired in the trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in the 2022 offseason. He joined a defensive unit looking to add youth and speed on the edge, and he transitioned to the linebacker position at the professional level. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games of the 2023 season.
Hall finished his rookie campaign with 38 total tackles, including 18 solo stops, and one pass defended, providing a glimpse of his potential as a three-down defender. He continued to develop as a professional athlete within the Seahawks organization, focusing on his craft, his conditioning, and his understanding of NFL-level schemes. His progress has positioned him as an ascending piece of Seattle’s defense moving forward.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hall is known for his quick first step off the edge, his relentless motor, and his capacity to disrupt both the run game and the passing game. His college production of 19.5 sacks demonstrates an ability to win one-on-one matchups against offensive tackles, while his 60 tackles in his senior season reflect a willingness to play with discipline in pursuit. At the professional level, his versatility has allowed the Seahawks to use him in a variety of roles along the front seven.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most defining milestones of Derick Hall’s career is his selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft, fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing at the highest level. He also set himself apart at Auburn by earning consecutive All-SEC honors and finishing among the program’s all-time leaders in sacks. His rookie season in which he played all 17 games stands as a strong foundation for continued growth in the league.
Derick Hall Career Wins
Derick Hall’s career is highlighted by team and individual achievements rather than singular head-to-head wins. At the college level, he helped lead the Auburn Tigers defense across multiple successful seasons, and at the professional level he has been a contributor for the Seattle Seahawks. His personal accolades, including All-SEC selections, reflect the consistency and impact he has brought to every team he has played for.
College Highlights
Hall recorded 147 total tackles and 19.5 sacks across his Auburn career, establishing himself as one of the most productive defensive ends in the program’s recent history. His junior and senior campaigns were his most productive, with nine sacks in 2021 and seven sacks in 2022, along with two forced fumbles and one interception as a senior. He earned second-team All-SEC recognition in 2021 and first-team All-SEC honors in 2022.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his statistical production, Hall earned the recognition of NFL scouts as a four-star high school recruit, the 147th overall player in his class and the eighth-ranked weakside defensive end. His selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks served as another major career milestone, validating years of hard work and perseverance.
Derick Hall Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Derick Hall’s family is limited, though his mother, Stacy Gooden-Crandle, played a central role in his early life by making critical medical decisions during his premature birth. Her decision to continue life support was instrumental in his survival and eventual athletic career.
Personal Life
Derick Hall is known publicly primarily for his football career. Detailed information about his spouse, children, or extended personal life is not widely available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Derick Hall continues to develop as a key part of the Seattle Seahawks defense. After playing all 17 games as a rookie in 2023, he is expected to take on an expanded role and contribute more consistently as a pass rusher and run defender. His progression will be a focal point for the Seahawks’ defensive coaching staff as the team builds its identity for the future.
Hall’s combination of college production, athletic traits, and professional experience positions him as a potential breakout candidate within the Seahawks’ defensive rotation. Continued improvement in technique and strength will be central to his outlook, and his performance in 2025 will help determine his long-term role with the franchise. The Seahawks’ investment in a second-round pick underscores the organization’s belief in his ceiling.