Jaren Hall
Jaren Thomas Hall, born March 24, 1998, is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the BYU Cougars and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. Hall has shown his potential in the NFL after starting games for the Vikings and later being signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad.
Early Life and Background
Jaren Thomas Hall was born on March 24, 1998, in Spanish Fork, Utah, in the United States. He grew up in Spanish Fork and attended Maple Mountain High School, where he developed into a promising quarterback prospect. During his high school career, Hall accumulated 5,109 passing yards and 52 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top young passers in the state.
Following high school, Hall committed to Brigham Young University (BYU) to continue his football career. Before enrolling at BYU, he served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Roseville, California, a common practice among members of the LDS faith. His mission experience shaped his character and discipline before he returned home to begin his college football journey.
Path to American Football
Hall arrived at BYU in 2018 and quickly began working toward a role in the Cougars’ offense. He played in two games during his first year and took a redshirt season, preserving a year of eligibility while he learned the playbook and adjusted to the college level. In his second season, Hall appeared in seven games and made two starts as a backup to Zach Wilson, the eventual No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
During his time backing up Wilson, Hall became the first Black quarterback to start a game for BYU when he took the field in place of Wilson against South Florida. That start represented a milestone moment in the history of the BYU football program. Hall completed 31 of 46 passes for 420 yards with one touchdown during that redshirt freshman campaign, offering a glimpse of his arm talent and poise under pressure.
Jaren Hall Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Hall’s early college years were spent learning behind more experienced quarterbacks and developing his game in a backup role. After taking a medical redshirt in 2020, he returned to the field ready to compete for the starting position. His work ethic and patience during those developmental seasons laid the foundation for his eventual emergence as BYU’s leader.
Alongside his football duties, Hall also played for the BYU baseball team in 2019 and 2020, demonstrating his athletic versatility across two Division I sports. The dual-sport experience helped him build competitive stamina and broad-based hand-eye coordination that would later benefit his passing mechanics.
BYU Breakthrough (2021-2022)
In 2021, Hall took over as BYU’s starting quarterback and delivered a productive season. He completed 189 of 296 passes for 2,583 yards, throwing 20 touchdowns against five interceptions. His efficient play earned him recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in the independent ranks as BYU competed as an independent program during that period.
Hall’s leadership at the helm of the BYU offense helped the Cougars maintain a strong passing attack and prepared him for the next step in his career. By the end of his college tenure, he had firmly established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect, leading to his selection in the 2023 draft.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2023-2024)
Hall was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round, 164th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. He joined a quarterback room led by Kirk Cousins and spent his rookie season learning the Vikings’ offensive system while adjusting to the speed of the professional game. In Week 8 of the 2023 season, he played his first regular-season snaps after Cousins suffered a torn Achilles tendon.
Hall started his first NFL game on November 5, 2023, but exited the contest after suffering a concussion. After clearing concussion protocol, he backed up Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens as the Vikings’ depth chart shuffled. In Week 17, Hall started against the Green Bay Packers, completing five of ten passes for 67 yards, one interception, and a lost fumble before being benched at halftime.
In the 2024 preseason, Hall played against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 24 and completed 28 of 46 passes for 339 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions in a strong performance. Despite that showing, he was waived by the Vikings on August 29, 2024, to make room for Brett Rypien on the roster.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024-2025)
On September 2, 2024, the Seattle Seahawks signed Hall to their practice squad, giving him an opportunity to continue developing within a new organization. He was promoted to the active roster as the emergency third quarterback on December 1 against the New York Jets, December 14 against the Green Bay Packers, December 21 against the Minnesota Vikings, and December 26 against the Chicago Bears.
On April 29, 2025, Hall was released by the Seahawks. His time in Seattle allowed him to gain additional NFL experience and familiarity with another offensive system while keeping his professional career on an upward trajectory.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hall’s most significant historic moment came when he became the first Black quarterback to start a game for BYU, a milestone that underscored his role in expanding the program’s legacy. His first NFL start in November 2023 and his preseason performance against Philadelphia, where he threw four touchdown passes, also stand out as signature moments in his early professional career.
Jaren Hall Family
Personal Life
Jaren Hall is married to Breanna Hall. The couple tied the knot in 2019, before Hall had fully begun his starting tenure at BYU. His family and faith have remained central parts of his life as he has navigated the demands of professional football.
2025 Season Performance
Hall entered the 2025 offseason following his release from the Seattle Seahawks on April 29, 2025. As a young quarterback with NFL starting experience, he remained an intriguing option for teams seeking depth and developmental upside at the position. His combination of arm strength, athleticism, and prior exposure to multiple offensive systems positioned him as a candidate to compete for a roster spot during training camps.
Across his 2024 preseason and emergency quarterback appearances, Hall demonstrated that he could operate in short bursts at the NFL level. The challenge for the 2025 season lay in securing a stable opportunity where he could continue to refine his decision-making and consistency. His competitive spirit and prior starting experience with the Vikings gave him a foundation to build upon as he pursued his next chapter in professional football.