Terrell Hall Believes He's 'Best DE in America,' Wants to Lead OSU's Recruiting

Defensive end Terrell Hall hopes to eventually chase national championships at Ohio State. For now, he's focused on helping the Buckeyes assemble a top-rated 2016 recruiting class.

"There are already a lot of great players committed, and I know there are more to come," he told Bleacher Report. "Hopefully we can all help make this a legendary class."

The defending national champions currently hold 12 commitments in a class that rates third overall in 247Sports' composite rankings. Hall, a 4-star prospect from Washington, D.C., committed to the Buckeyes in early March and likes the way things are shaping up around him.

"I feel like we have the best class so far, and since these guys are going to Ohio State, you know they're competitors," he said.

Hall, who checked in at 6'5.5", 254 pounds at a Nike regional camp in Virginia earlier this month, views competitiveness as the ultimate virtue in football. He's focused on convincing fellow standout high school players to join him in Columbus, but they must be cut from the same cloth.

"First off, I don't want to recruit anybody who isn't ready to compete," Hall said. "When it comes to the guys I am recruiting, I tell them about Ohio State's huge student population, its great alumni and a support system that makes sure you succeed outside of football."

He identified 5-star New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary and 4-star Maryland linebacker Keandre Jones as prospects he's particularly excited to target. Linebacker Aaron Hansford, a teammate at St. John's College High School, is also in his cross hairs.

"I'm going to make sure Aaron joins me at Ohio State," Hall said. "He can't leave my school without going to Ohio State."

Hall carries the distinction as ninth-best weak-side defensive end in 247Sports' composite rankings. However, he vehemently disagrees with that assessment.

"I feel like I'm the best defensive end in America," Hall said. "I honestly feel like I'm No. 1 on that list. I played this past season at 220 pounds and did the best I could with my athleticism. Now I'm 254 pounds, and I'm ready to open some eyes. I want people who watch me play to walk away saying I'm the best defensive end in the country."

His skill set has attracted more than 30 collegiate scholarship offers. Before committing to the Buckeyes, he heavily considered opportunities at Alabama, Penn State, Tennessee, Clemson and Ole Miss.

Despite his pledge to Ohio State, several teams remain in pursuit of the disruptive defender. 

He pointed to Penn State as a primary example. The Nittany Lions and assistant coach Charles Huff have stayed diligent in an attempt to flip him from a conference rival. 

"Coach Huff hits me up every day," Hall said. "Ohio State doesn't trip off it too much because they know I'm very confident in my commitment."

A key part of that confidence is the mentality of head coach Urban Meyer. The three-time national champion instills a team attitude that fits Hall's demeanor.

"Urban is very focused on making sure his players have a competitive spirit, and that's a big part of what excited me about Ohio State," he said. "There are practice days there when everything you do is counted as a win or a loss. Either you win or you lose in football, so the focus is on winning every day. I like that."

Credit: 247Sports

Hall believes his strongest attributes go far beyond an enlarged physical frame. 

"My violence separates me from a lot of players," he said. "I'm very scrappy on the field, and I hate to lose. I'm a humble guy off the field, but on the field I'm very cocky. I'm a different person when I step on that field."

Hall maintains this is a mind-set he'll always carry with him, whether he's chasing quarterbacks in Columbus or beyond.

"I'm motivated by the doubters and people ranked ahead of me who I don't feel should be ahead of me," Hall said. "I use football to channel my aggression and anger. That's the only way I know how to play."

All quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.