Best at Western
Healthy and humbled, former H-F running back Hall ready to turn some heads for Leathernecks
It has been nearly three years since Justin Hall graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor.
It may as well have been a lifetime ago.
“A lot has happened, that’s for sure,” Hall said. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and about life through this experience.”
Because of that, Hall believes he’s a better person. A better student. And a better football player.
I’m not sure if the term “no pain, no gain” has ever been more on target.
He suffered a devastating injury. He transferred schools. And of course, he has dealt with the additional challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Hall, however, has persevered. I’m not surprised.
He remains engaging, happy and confident, just like he was during a star-studded career at H-F.
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound twoway threat was a game-breaker with the Vikings. It didn’t matter if he was lined up in the backfield, at receiver, in the secondary or on special teams.
The dude brought the fireworks.
“Justin had a skill set that was very unusual for a high school player,” H-F coach Craig Buzea said. “He was an impact player for us as a sophomore and junior on defense, and then as a senior was as electric of an offensive player we’ve had.”
As a senior, Hall rushed for 1,788 yards and 25 touchdowns. He added 530 yards receiving and five TDs.
He was named the offensive player of the year in conference and earned an invitation to the prestigious Under Armour AllAmerica Game in Florida.
Coincidentally, it was during the week of that game on Jan. 4, 2018, that Hall suffered a dislocated left wrist while working out.
“I jumped for the ball and landed on my wrist,” Hall said. “I didn’t tell anyone. That was a mistake. I should have said something.
“I went to Florida, but when the training staff saw how swollen my wrist was, they told me I couldn’t play.”
The news didn’t get any better once he returned home. The doctors informed him he would need reconstructive surgery. Even worse, his football career could be in jeopardy.
“I was scared,” Hall said. “I’ve been playing football since I was 4. I started to think about life without football. That will humble you.”
The injury forced Hall to redshirt his freshman season at Northern Illinois. Then came a coaching change. Rod Carey, who recruited him, left for Temple. Thomas Hammock was brought in.
It was a bad marriage, and Hall accepts much of the blame.
“We had a meeting with the coaches and they saw me for someone I wasn’t,” Hall said. “I was still recovering from the injury. I wasn’t doing my part academically. I was a liability off the field.
“We didn’t connect and I decided to transfer. I look back on it and I wasn’t portraying myself the right way.”
Hall eventually landed at Western Illinois — a more mature and humble young man.
He made quite an impact in 2019, totaling 660 yards returning kicks and punts, good enough for fifth all-time in program history. He was named to the FCS Freshman All-American fourth team and to the Missouri Valley Conference’s all-newcomer team.
“I know what my ability is and I have confidence in myself,” Hall said. “I had people in front of me on those returns who had a lot of experience and encouraged me. That helped.”
Hall also believes the 2019 season was just the tip of the iceberg.
The redshirt sophomore plans on proving that Feb. 19 when Western Illinois opens its season at South Dakota. Besides special teams, Hall expects to receive more opportunities in the backfield. In 2019, he rushed four times for four yards and caught two passes for 14 yards.
“I’m ready to take my game to the next level,” Hall said. “It’s go time.”
The Leathernecks will play an eight-game season that will conclude April 10 against Southern Illinois.
Hall confirmed starting the season in February and ending in April feels weird, but he doesn’t feel the weather will cause him any trouble.
“I know I can get things done in the cold and snow,” Hall said. So do I.
He’s also getting things done in the classroom, which is of the utmost importance.
“When I got injured, I knew I had to be more committed to school,” Hall said. “The injury was a curse and a blessing.
“I’m more mature now and I know it’s up to me, not anyone else, to take care of business.”