Trash Talking Doesn’t Distract Virginia’s Hall From Task

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Having been pegged by several preseason football publications as the best returning lockdown cornerback in the country, Virginia senior Bryce Hall is an easy target for opposing receivers’ attempts to trash talk.

So does Hall get a lot of chatter from his opponents?

“Yeah,” Hall admitted when the question was popped during Monday’s press conference, followed by media laughter from the corner’s short response. “It’s kind of not as much hateful trash talk, but more jokingly, but kind of like a respectful competitor versus competition kind of trash talk.”

Most teams choose not to throw in Hall’s direction due to his reputation as the best in the country. Still, some try. He leads UVA in passes broken up this season with four.

Trash talk? “It’s just part of the game, and it’s fun,” Hall said.

While he might get it from opposing receivers, respectful or not, Hall doesn’t get into it that much.

“I’m not much of a yeller,” he said, “but I’ll have conversations with people at times. That’s kind of my style. I’ll talk a little bit, but I try not to make that part of my game. I have a lot of things I’m trying to lock in and focus on.

“[Trash talking] is not a huge part of my game, but I’ll exchange words, not in a demeaning kind of way, but a response throughout the course of the game, nothing intentional like trying to trash talk this dude down.”

While he’s highly regarded, Hall, who decided to return for his senior year instead of taking his talents to the pros, believes he can get better. After four games this season, he’s not satisfied.

“I feel like I can play a lot better,” he said. “I’m my biggest critic and I expect a lot out of myself. There’s a lot of games left to play. I’m working fiercely to try and improve each week and look at myself in how I can improve. I’m capable of playing at a high level and my effort can go to another level.”

Coach Bronco Mendenhall was asked Monday what improvements or changes, if any, he has seen from Hall, with a focus on the star DB’s decision to pass up NFL riches and return to UVA for one more season.

“I think that it’s too early in terms of only four games to say he is changed in this regard,” said Mendenhall. “I think what he hasn’t changed is how consistent and how prepared, and his production. I think all that is continuing.

“Ultimately, he’ll probably gauge coming back by interceptions and by production personally, but what he’ll most likely gain or will measure his coming back is how is our team doing? Right now we’re 4-0 and he’s helping us play at a really high level. That alone would be reason to come back probably if you asked him.”

Hall has 15 tackles from his corner spot, including three tackles for loss and a sack. His 37 consecutive starts is the most in the nation among active corners, and is tied for second in the nation for consecutive starts among active defensive players with Oregon linebacker Troy Dye.