We already know that San Francisco 49ers defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina was in attendance to watch defensive tackle P.J. Hall at Sam Houston State's pro day in March. However, the interest expressed by the 49ers continued into the evening following the workout. As part of the scouting process, Zgonina had dinner that night with Hall, according to a conversation we had with our friends over at Draft Diamonds.
It must have been a busy night for the draft prospect, who reportedly met and interviewed with New England Patriots defensive line coach Brendan Daly that night as well.
During an interview in February with Full Press Coverage, Hall said he patterns himself after Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
"He is not the biggest, but he is very explosive and powerful," he said. "He is just hard to block all around."
Hall had at least 12 sacks in two different seasons with the Bearkats and three seasons with 11-or-more. In four years, he registered 284 combined tackles with 86.5 for a loss and 42 sacks.
While Hall didn't receive an invite to the combine, he had a strong week at the East-West Shrine Game, which included a sack of Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett.
The two-time first-team Associated Press FCS All-American has experience as an edge rusher but played defensive tackle for his senior year (per Lance Zierlein of NFL Media), which explains the decrease in sacks from his first three seasons. Hall's 60 combined tackles in 2017 earned him first-team All-Southland Conference honors. He also tied the FCS lead with four blocked kicks.
Hall was the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 after recording 56 combined tackles, 24.5 for a loss, 13 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 13 starts.
RELATED 49ers 2018 Pre-Draft Visit/Meeting Tracker
Less than a month ago, NFL.com projected Hall as a potential Day 3 pick, possibly being selected in the sixth or seventh round. His stock has risen. Hall is currently projected to be a third- or fourth-round draft pick.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Hall to Grady Jarrett, wrote the following about Hall within his scouting report:
"What Hall lacks in height, weight and length, he makes up for with power, quickness, and explosiveness. Hall has the quickness and strength to be disruptive against the run and pass as a shade nose or reduced front three-technique. His level of production in every category imaginable could foreshadow his ability to translate into the NFL, but he will have to prove he can maintain his weight and stand up to the rigors of the interior with bigger men across from him."
Measurables
Height: 6-1
Weight: 310 lbs.
College Statistics
| Year | G | Tkl | Loss | Sk |
| 2013 | RS | - | - | - |
| 2014 | 16 | 93 | 24.0 | 12.0 |
| 2015 | 15 | 75 | 19.0 | 11.0 |
| 2016 | 13 | 56 | 24.5 | 13.0 |
| 2017 | 12 | 60 | 19.0 | 6.0 |
| Totals | 56 | 284 | 86.5 | 42.0 |
