He had two scholarship offers with two years of high school remaining, a sure sign that Justin Hall will be a coveted player throughout the remainder of 2016 and well into ’17.
Impressed by his work as a Homewood-Flossmoor safety as a sophomore last fall, Iowa State invited him to join its defense in 2018.
The other offer, from Central Michigan, is a testament to his speed and the wow factor he possesses in camps and workouts, because he’s currently the Vikings’ third-string third string at the running back position.
“I’m going to have to take my time with a lot of this,” Hall said. “I have to find out if I want to play offense or defense.
Homewood-Flossmoor had one of the most explosive offenses the Chicago area has ever seen last season, averaging 500 yards and 47 points per game. The Vikings lost the core of that unit, but their depth at the skill positions and overall talent level continues to be staggering.
Taking the mantle from twin running backs Devonte and Deante Harley-Hampton was a job Hall was clearly qualified for.
But seniors Tyler Nutall, a three-year varsity player, and Herbert Hughes, a Stagg transfer who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, were too.
“The guys here, they’re not selfish,” Hall said. “They like to give everyone their turn. Tyler Nutall, he’s been here the longest out of all three of us. He played behind the twins his sophomore year and not as much junior year. But he’s still sharing the spotlight with me and Herb.
“That is the power of the H-F program. It is really a brotherhood, a family. It is hard for guys to be in conflict with one another.”
Homewood-Flossmoor’s state-of-the-art facilities are enough to make some college programs jealous, as is the talent on its roster.
Offensive linemen John Michael Schmitz (Western Michigan) and Jamezz Kimbrough (Central Michigan) have secured Division I futures, and uncommitted senior linemate Jack Doyle likely will too.
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Tyrice Richie, last year’s distant fourth option behind the Harley-Hamptons and current Wisconsin receiver Kendric Pryor, committed to Northern Illinois earlier this week.
“People close to H-F knew about us, but because we had so many extremely good players they didn’t get the spotlight,” Hall said. “They’re humble about it.”
Calling Hall a third-string running back may be an exaggeration. Hughes and Nutall carried most of the load in their two easy victories, but it remains to be seen how Craig Buzea’s No. 5 Vikings will utilize their triad of talented backs in a close game — say on the road Friday night against No. 2 Lincoln-Way East.
“(Hall) has a world of talent carrying the ball,” Buzea said. “He was also our leading tackler last year. Right now he is more valuable on the defensive end.”
As impressive as the reload appears, Buzea shuts down any comparisons between his current team and the 2015 version.
Bryce Gray, who’s playing baseball at Notre Dame, was a three-year starting quarterback whom Buzea called an extension of himself on the field.
Gray’s replacement, senior Bryant Wright, has comparable weapons if not experience.
“We’re not close to the team we were last year,” Buzea said. “It is night and day. A lot of is just experience. Those guys were some special guys, and when you lose 50-something seniors and only return five starters, you’re talking about a boatload of kids.”
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.