FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno native TJ Hall had to patiently wait until Saturday afternoon to hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
Hall was selected in the 7th round, 219th overall, by the New Orleans Saints.<\/p>\n
The defensive back graduated from San Joaquin Memorial High School and then went on to spend his college career as an Iowa Hawkeye.<\/p>\n
Hall, surrounded by loved ones, exclusively told Action News that all he needed was an opportunity.<\/p>\n
“It’s really a blessing. Especially having my family around…” he said. “…Whatever [the Saints] need me to do, really, I feel like I can play all five positions. If they need me to line up wherever they need me to help the team out and help them win the Super Bowl.”<\/p>\n
Hall was Iowa’s leader in pass breakups with 10 last season, earning him a chance to play in the Senior Bowl.<\/p>\n
That’s where Hall says he first connected with the Saints.<\/p>\n
“It was kind of crazy, I didn’t talk to [the Saints] too much during the pre-draft process. I talked to them at the Senior Bowl. I think we went through some defensive install kind of thing. And then they called me and I was like man, we’re going to New Orleans,” Hall said.<\/p>\n
He added he’s excited to be a part of a great organization with great coaches and in a town with great food.<\/p>\n
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