Former Durfee star Jason Hall to play Division I football — here's where he's going

FALL RIVER — Every football player dreams of playing in the National Football League.

Jason Hall's aspiration jumpstarted since the age of 6.

Now the Fall River native is just one step closer to fulfilling his ultimate goal.

Hall has verbally committed to play football at NCAA Division I school Villanova University after completing his senior season at Suffield Academy private preparatory school in Connecticut.

"I'm beyond blessed," he said. "It feels like I'm gifted with the talent of playing football. I took advantage of all the opportunities I got in my life. I want to show everyone that you can make it out there. It is just a matter of putting in the hard work."

Hall will play under the direction of Wildcat head coach Mark Ferrante, whose team finished the 2021 season ranked eighth among NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision teams with a record of 10-3.

"I went for a revisit and met the head coach," Hall said. "He is such a great guy, and easy to talk with him. I saw the energy from the team. They are great people. I felt this was the next facility to make it to the NFL. I trust them, so that's why my choice was Villanova."

Heavy hitters, cannons on the hill: Meet The Herald News' baseball all-star teams

Hall said staff members of Villanova first came by his school to recruit him. He was invited to camp on June 2 and toured the campus for the first time.

"I had a blast," he said. "I had fun and I liked the coaching staff. I saw this was a great place for me and felt I could fit in there.

Career move: Durfee football star Hall accepts 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to play at prep school

Hall said his family was ecstatic with the news.

"They're happy for me that I found a second home and to all what's coming in the future," he said.

From youth to Hilltopper tough

Hall stardom began on the football field with the Fall River Falcons. He grew rapidly before entering B.M.C. Durfee High School. From there, he began to shape his 6-foot, 2-inch 215-pound frame.

"I love the game of football once I picked up the ball," Hall said.

After a solid 2019 sophomore year where he rushed for over 1,000 yards, Hall was by far the best player in the Fall River area and southeastern Massachusetts during his junior year.

Rising Young Stars: Meet The Herald News Girls Spring Outdoor Track and Field all-stars

The Hilltopper running back amassed an area-best 1,035 yards on just 91 carries and an area-best 16 touchdowns in just five games.

He averaged 11.37 yards a carry and had a career-best 273 yards and five touchdowns against New Bedford in the season finale. He helped Durfee surpass the .500 mark during a 2021 COVID-19 shortened spring season.

Hall, who was an SEC all-star, a two-time Herald News, Boston Herald, and Boston Globe All-Scholastic, ran for two straight 200-yard games and four in his last five games, dating back to 2019. Hall had well over 2,000 career yards rushing.

BIG DAY: Durfee's Jason Hall puts together highlight reel in win over New Bedford

Defensively, Hall had 27 tackles, three sacks, and four forced fumbles.

"Durfee gave me an opportunity," he said. "I learned a lot of stuff from the coaching staff there. That's one thing. I also built a lot of character there. Durfee taught me about the next level, how to work and help change the program."

Next level

Hall did not let up for the Tigers in his first prep school season. He was excellent at linebacker and still showed great speed and balance out of the backfield. HIs run out of the backfield against Deerfield Academy brought back memories of his high school days.

"I'm only going to be better next season," Hall said. "I'm looking forward to leading my team. The whole team is building around me, so I'm looking to have a breakout season again. I'm excited about that."

Hall said he works out four days a week and tries each day to be the best he can be. He passed out lunches this summer for his job at Greater Fall River Re-Creation to children at Griffin Park.

Now the former Hilltopper star looks toward the future.

"You can do anything if you put your mind to it," he said. "Give it your all ... 110 percent."

His journey to the NFL has just begun.

Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Former Durfee football player verbally commits to Division I Villanova