Blue By Ninety - The BIGGEST Interception of 2024 | Michigan Cornerback Aamir Hall

Episode Date: January 24, 2025

Justin and Tanner are joined by Michigan cornerback Aamir Hall who talks his transition from the FCS to the Big House and his biggest moments of 2024.

All right. Welcome back to Blue by 90. I'm Justin joined by Tanner today and we've got a special guest for you. Buckeye killer Amir Hall joining the show. Amir, appreciate you joining us today, man. Appreciate y'all having me. How y'all doing today? So, I mean, it's been – I know we unfortunately had to watch Ohio State just win the natty on Monday, but a lot of chatter going on still. I mean, at the end of the day, they still can't beat you guys. So, what does it all mean? You know what I mean? Pretty much nothing. Ain't really too much.

I don't know. I have a comment on them winning the natty. That's a good situation for them. Congrats to them. Yeah, 13-10. That's a good situation for them. Congrats to them. Yeah, 13-10. That's what we got to say about that. Well, Amir, I want to ask you, man. I mean, you entered the transfer portal.

You were, you know, standout at Albany. What drew you to come to Ann Arbor to play for Michigan with, you know, with Jerome coming into his first year and a lot of new faces on the coaching staff, which I'm sure for you, that didn't matter much because you were only here for one season, but what drew you to Michigan and what was it like playing for, you know, for Wink Martindale, for Coach Lamar? Like what were those guys like and what was that experience like? Just to start off with your first question,

just the opportunity to come here and play at the high level. So you see we had two back-to to back national champions from the Big Ten. So it's obviously the highest level of football in college football. So just the opportunity to play in a conference like that and then playing at University of Michigan is a once in a lifetime opportunity. So once I got the call from my coaching staff at Albany that Coach Morgan reached out to me, I came out here and took a visit out here. And I love every second of it.

I was instantly drawn to this university and kind of made my decision pretty easy. My family got to see the school and they were on board. So it was a good deal. And then just playing in this defense with Coach Wayne Martindale, it prepares you a lot for the next level, just seeing different things, how he sees things coming from the NFL and playing at this level. It's just different. I haven't played in the NFL scheme yet, so just being able to play in that system this season really helped me a lot

and overall impacted my game. And so you took the jump from, you know, Albany to the Big Ten. What was, I mean, what's the difference really? You know, I think a lot of us all watch a lot of college football at all different levels, D1, D2, you know, from the Mac to the Big Ten. You watching D2 ball, Justin? What's that? You a big D2 football guy?

Hey, you know, shout out Grand Valley. Shout out Ferris State. That's good football. Back to back to back national champs. But, yeah, I mean, what's the difference there, Amir, where it's like just from a physicality size, what was your experience like making that jump? Yeah, it's honestly the

offense and defense online so i'll say last year at albany i had some guys that ended up going to the next level uh rp one of my uh late teammates he was supposed to be a nfl prospect but i had some guys instead of portal and uh play at the next levels but uh making that jump here the offensive line and defensive line was just the biggest difference to me, in my opinion. And then just, like, the technicality and speed of the game where the skill position plays that, like, guys just seem more comfortable. Like, route concepts were a little bit better.

The way guys' tempo routes and got in and out of breaks was just a little bit quicker and uh the way guys tempo routes and got in and out of breaks was just a little bit quicker than which I was uh accustomed to playing at uh the FCS level. What was the biggest difference off the field was it you know was it the the facilities like you know obviously playing in front of 110,000 is probably a little bit different than any other place in the country but like what was the biggest difference, you know, not necessarily on the football field? Yeah, I would say that's another thing too. So a lot of guys, like, you have a lot more time for football and like just taking care of your body on the facilities. Like you said, it's like a lot goes more into that.

We have more resources around us here at this next level. And then with the school aspect, more resources as far as that with like guys getting help with classes and stuff like that. Like those things are all important with trying to be an overall student athlete. You know what I'm saying? I had, I had to just put up 13 to 10 on the banner here on, on our YouTube. So we'll just, you know, keep, keep reminding the people. But, but yeah, I mean, you came into a defense that, you know,

had won a national championship, right. You know, just prior to you arriving in Ann Arbor and reloaded, you know, you bring back KG Mason will, you know, you bring back Ernie, you bring back Derek Moore, Josiah Stewart, right. Rod, unfortunately was, you know, you bring back Ernie, you bring back Derek Moore, Josiah Stewart, right? Rod, unfortunately, was, you know, he was back, but not on the field. But you bring back a ton of different guys. How did they help you? What was their impact on your game? What was it like being, just being around those guys that are now, you know, you've

got three guys on that defense that probably will be drafted in the first round? Just the experience that those guys had, man. Like, they've been in it. They've been in it for years, so they know what it looks like. They know what it's like to win at that level. Like, they're just coming off a national championship, so they have that swagger about them. They have just that experience that goes into winning games,

like those type of games. And that was big for me, just trying to, like, just lean into that culture coming up from a level where we didn't play those type of high-level games, like where it's one hundred and ten people watching, but it's a million people watching off the field, like just watching back at home on TV. So it's a little bit different,

but those guys definitely poured into the whole defense. Amir, when you were making your decision, did you connect with any of the guys from Baltimore on the Michigan team? I mean, there's there's there's a handful. I don't know what prior relationships you had with those guys coming up through high school. But was there anybody in particular that maybe you reached out to that was, you know, on this team that you kind of look to and they gave you some good insight about coming to Michigan? Honestly not necessarily but once I was on board uh I know I connected with D Moore like as soon as I got here like he reached out to me um I knew who he was from um back at the crib he played at my rival school St. Francis they had, we actually had to stop playing them. It was my, the last year we played them was my sophomore year.

That's a whole nother story, but. What did it get? Did it get too, like, too much? Like, too much going on or what? So, basically, St. Francis, they had came in and you guys know Biff Posey. He was a Michigan guy. Yeah, he came in.

He brought a lot of guys in and that program took off basketball and football wise. So after a couple years the MIAA, they just hadn't seen success at that faster rate. It didn't become as competitive as it was for the previous

year. So they decided to move them from our conference and then they just had to go on the national schedule, which was – Gotcha. It wasn't fair to us, and it wasn't fair to them at the same time. You know, we wanted that bump, and, you know, it wasn't fair to them for them to be kicked out of the league. So was D. Moore giving you some shit?

Like, oh, you can't even stay with us, right? Like, you can't even – You already know. You already know. Amir, did you play against Blake Corham in high school? No, he wasn't at St. Francis. Okay. I knew he, like, transferred.

I didn't know the timeline of that, though. Yeah, he had got there the year after. All right, let's talk about the game. You know, you guys go into Columbus. I think I want to start with just the entrance we've talked about it we've all seen the video it is electric of you guys coming out i mean what's that feeling like you know you've obviously been in the big house you played in a bunch of different uh you know huge stadiums right but for the first time you're coming out and you're coming out into a sea of red where you guys haven't had the season that you would hope to, right?

You're sitting at, you know, seven and five. They're out for blood. You know that. They're fans. We see Jack Sawyer talking shit, you know, before the game as you guys are coming off, walking out into that sea of red, knowing that they're out for blood and you guys are you know you've got a team of of you know 100 guys and there's 190,000 that want your you you know dead essentially right what was that like I'd say it like this um like that's what sparked it honestly for me and you could ask probably anybody else on the team like when they do that little standoff

before the game and stuff where they watch us going to the locker room and it's kind of like the intimidation fact that I feel like that kind of spiked it off for a team you know just coming into this culture like I see the shirts I see the hoodies like it's Michigan versus everybody so we coming in like it's a band of brothers we going in like we coming into Beach Hall we're going to do it together like we all banded up like office defense special teams we all ready to go and um i feel like that interest man we came out we had the intensity we had the fire that we needed to go out there and um make that type of statement how amir i gotta ask you because you know michigan scores you guys score on like two plays later but But how upset were you that you weren't able to get into the end zone on that pick?

Because I was – you were so close, man. And you did a great job staying in bounds too. Like I'm sure you've seen it. But like when I'm watching, I'm like, is he out of bounds? And there's a little bit of green in between your cleat and the sideline and you make a great move to get down to the two. But you got to be a little upset you didn't get in the end zone. Yeah, that's what I was sick about this whole time.

Every time I watch the play, man, it's not even like the play. That's probably the biggest play in my career, but it's not even like one of my best plays because I know that I could have easily gotten to the end zone. But, you know, I'm just focusing on trying to stay in bounds and secure the interception that I ain't focused on the final test. Like, man. It was, I mean, it was one of those things where you're like

go go get in get in but thank god you know you've got Max Bradson Kalel in that offensive line that can help you out and and punch it in um but you know you guys all right so Will doesn't play right in this game and so you know obviously he hadn't played in quite some time at that point but he's you know one of the best corners in in the entire country at that time so you're down one of your best assets but and ohio state has an unbelievable receiver core right there's no way around it i'm not going to discount what they've got jeremy jeremiah smith's unbelievable right carnell states you know they're really good you guys didn't back down at all though there was there was no like fear in your eyes at all what was you know what was your guys mindset what did you talk about going

into it like all right yeah they can make plays but we can too yeah so uh we obviously knew that we was gonna have to win first of all shout out to our d line um we knew that we was going to have to win. First of all, a shout out to our D-line. We knew that we were just going to have to win up front first, and then it was our job in the back end to just basically challenge the receivers all game, really, whether whatever coverage we were playing, whatever we had planned out for their receiving core, we just had to go out there and challenge them, and that's what we did for four quarters. I feel like at the beginning of the game, kind of started off especially with myself I had to fill the receivers out first gauge their speed um the physicality of the game their game plan what they wanted to do as far as I'm trying to get them the ball but I feel like

after that first the first drive the first first two drives that we got a good feel and then we started playing like free from there. Yeah, man. What was that feeling like when, uh, you know, you're up 13, 10, I think it was what, 45 seconds left and you've got to make a stop. They got no timeouts and you go, you know, go for an out. I mean, four what incompletions or I think there was one completion right at the sideline. What's that feeling like when you realize, man, we just, you know, we just had a huge upset as Justin has unfortunately, I think,

fallen off here. Yeah, I'll probably say like, that's the situation that you dream of. That's the situation that you want to be in when you're going into the game. Like the game is in our hands and, you know, like the way our team was this year and the way that we play football, like we want to have our defense out there to win us the game. And that's the situation that we were in. And we just pinned our ears back and was able to get the stops that we needed.

And it felt good just, you know, knowing that that was in our hands that we could come out with that W. Yeah, well, look, man, I mean, we, you know, I was losing my mind. I have a six-month-old. I woke her up, you know, my wife was a little upset, but I woke her up probably six times that game. So, you know, we certainly here in the Michigan faithful really appreciate that win. You know, I wanted to ask you, Justin, feel free to hop in here. I don't know what happened. Technical difficulties. My internet literally just like completely dropped off. So, sorry, we're back though.

Yeah, no, I was just, you know, asking Amir what it was like after the game. And Amir, did you have any, you know, anything spray in the wind, get in your eyes perhaps on the field after the game? Or were you far enough away from that to not have to deal with any sort of pepper spray? Yeah, no, I was good,

but it was just like unfortunate to see some of my teammates deal with it. And I didn't really know what was going on. Afterwards, we got into the locker room. Guys trying to get undressed after the game, and they got fiery eyes and stuff. Their eyes were just messed up. That was an unfortunate situation right there.

But that's what it is. We talked to Gio Elhadi, and he let us know that he had some spray in his eyes, so it was pretty rough. But Dominic Zavada, you know, I guess the kickers were far enough away, man. You know, they didn't really get into the scraps. They didn't have to worry about it too much. Yeah, no.

Can't get Zavada out there, man. No, that's the ticket. That's the ticket right there. Yeah, I mean, going back to – sorry, but going back to, like, during the game, one thing that we talked to Gio about that we loved was just at what point did you know that they were tight, that they were scared, that they, it was like, you know, cause I think that the switch in the past few years,

obviously even before you were here was that it used to be, you know, before 2021 Michigan players, was that it used to be, you know, before 2021, Michigan players, I don't, Michigan fans didn't really truly believe that they could win that game. And it's really flipped in the last few years. And even this past year, right, it was, there was a moment during that game, even though they probably thought they were the better team, right? On paper, they're the better team. But there was a moment where it was like they're thinking, oh, shit, can we not beat this team?

Is this going to go the way that it's gone? And so was there a moment for you that you were like, oh, man, I can see it in their eyes. They don't have it today. They don't think they can beat us. It's going to sound weird, but Coach Morris said it in their eyes. They don't have it today. They don't think they can beat us. It's going to sound weird, but Coach Morris said it in the locker room, and it made sense. It didn't click to me until after

the game. I don't know if you guys remember, it was a drive when they missed the field goal. It was right after I think Will Howard went down, and he came back in the game. It was a 4-for-1, and they got in that little wishbone formation with the three backs.

And instead of going – it was like 4-for-1. They came out, and they didn't go downhill. They didn't come straight in. They went outside. They went wide zone on some canter outside, and they came in with a tight formation. So I feel like that let us know the type of team that they were. The way the brand of football we play, like we smash mouth, we're gonna run it down your throat.

You know, we're gonna get the tough guys, we're gonna get every last inch of each play out of it. And they didn't do that, man. They took the easy way out, they took the path of less resistance. And that let us know that like, just coming in, you see in our locker room, our facilities, like, what are you doing today to beat Ohio State? Like, that just let us know, like, the type of brand of team that we are and the type of brand of football that we play. So did Coach Moore say something like that before the game or at halftime? Did he say it like that?

No, no. It was just afterwards, like, you know, like, during halftime, he pointed that out, you know. And, like, it all makes sense. Like, it all makes sense, like, the type of team that you're playing against. I like it. Yeah, I mean, you know, most genius coaches wouldn't run at Mason Graham or Kenneth Graham or Rayshon Bailey. Exactly.

Jared Moore, Josiah Stewart. You know, I can go on and on. Well, Justin, I want to ask about the Alabama game, man. I got a lot of questions about that because it looked like a blast. How was that rain? Like, you guys were thriving, and it looked like Alabama players wanted to be anywhere else. So, how was the rain?

Second part of this question, how gross was it, like when it got hot and humid after you dried up and you're just disgusting? I can only imagine. Man, it was a little frustrating, like to have to come back out and play after. The field condition is not the best. People slipping up and it's so muddy outside. You just notice you have to get dirty for the rest of the game.

You see Jordan Marshall, he's making 20-yard runs. He's getting up. He got mud all over his jersey and stuff. He was brown. He was straight up brown at that point. You feel me? Like, it's just like, yeah, like, you just got to play in those conditions. But I feel like that's what made us tough.

And like you said, I feel like the first three drives of the game, like, defense and offense, like, we, like definitely uh imposed our will and like we let them know that like we was here like we didn't care like what the weather was what the conditions was we just here to win the game i mean that's something that uh going back to you know you weren't here for this but 2021 michigan fans know in 2021 the nebraska game right was kind of the start of that where and the wisconsin game too where you know they play jump around at the wisconsin stadium well michigan's team was jumping around even more than was wisconsin was and i felt like you guys took that

you know kind of mantra in alabama too where it was like you know what we don't care what the conditions are we don't care what environment we're in we're gonna make the best of it it's our team this is our you know our environment all that and i think that like i want to ask you you know what what was that feeling when you know did you feel that through this team where it's like we don't care what you know we'll play you in a parking lot we'll play you you know in on the beach we'll play you in a mud you. We'll play you on the beach. We'll play you in a mud slide. We don't care. And you guys, you're hyping it up on the sideline, all that stuff. Is that a thing that you guys talk about,

or is it just a feeling that you have within the team? Absolutely. Absolutely. We have these meetings called Teach the Game. We just talk about what each position group can do for the team, what you can do for the team individually. Those are some of the things that we kind of pride ourselves on this trip in Tampa, and I feel like that kind of helped us a lot leading into that game.

Amir, have you ever played defensive end before? Like, in, like, you know, youth league or something? Cause that, I mean, I know it was a tight end, but that was a nice, you know, you rip through and you get the strip sack on Milrow down there. I'm sure, you know, I think it was still raining at that point or maybe it had just stopped, but that ball's probably a little tougher to hold on to. But man, that was a, that was a hell of a play from a corner. I mean, normally you see a corner blitz come, You know, nobody's picking it up. But the tight end saw you, and you just beat him with a pass rush. Man, I say shout out to Coach Lou.

Shout out to Coach BJ, all those guys. You know, we practiced, like, turnover circuits all throughout the season. It finally came. It finally came. Like, you know, you never know when, like, something's going to show up in the game. In practice, you're just kind of going through it. But, like, that's why, like, those reps in practice matter.

It showed on game day. Like, I got the opportunity. I had a one-on-one for tight end, and I was able to beat them. And when my number was called on the corner bush, I was able to get there and get home and make a pivotal play in that game. I love it. I mean, what were you guys thinking, too, when you all of a sudden have, like, what, three turnovers and four plays?

It was – I mean, Tanner and I were watching with some of the boys at Pretzel Bell in Ann Arbor, and we're like, what is going on? Were you also like, what is going on right now? I ain't going to lie. I thought it was over. I'm not going to gonna lie i thought they completely i thought they completely laid down shout out to alabama for real because they ended up uh making a little run there they took us to the wire but i thought they was gonna lay down

from that point like we had three early turnovers like the first couple drives i was like yeah it's over like they don't they don't want to be out here like they just here for the vacation you had the last word right for sure um so all right well we'll we'll end it with uh with this um so uh you're preparing for the next level you know preparing for the nfl draft you were mentioning that you're you're still in ann arbor right now prepping for Pro Day, coming up here in a few months. So what can teams expect? If a team is looking at you to draft you and make you a part of their organization, what is Amir Hall bringing to the table?

I'm definitely a blue-collar guy. I come in, put my head down, hard working, man. I'm just willing to do anything to help the team win. I bring a lot of different assets to the team, maturity, and just like just a focus, like laser tunnel vision mindset, just coming in, just focusing on providing for my family and providing for the team in any way that I can. That's been my mindset throughout football, and that's going to be my mindset at the next

level. So I'm excited for this opportunity. I'm excited to see how things pan out for me with God as playing for my next step. I like it. I like it, man. Well, hey, we're very appreciative of your time in Ann Arbor. It's one of those things, too, no matter how the season goes, if you can make a play and in that game in November,

whether it's in Columbus or in Ann Arbor, you're a Michigan legend forever. So I know we will be thinking about that play, thinking about your game and your time here in Ann Arbor. And we appreciate it. Anytime you can come out and beat the Buckeyes for it, we love it. Man, appreciate y'all guys, man. Appreciate it, man. Good luck in the rest of the way and the process.

We'll be definitely rooting for you, man. Hopefully you'll hear your name called and, you know, be rooting for you at the next level too. Appreciate it. For sure. And so, okay, real quick, where can people follow you at? What are your socials? My socials, my Instagram is AmirHall2A's A-A-M-I-R-H-A-L-L-3. And then my Twitter is, one second, A-J-T-H-E-S-H-O-E-L-W, sorry.

All good. All good. All right. Go follow him there. And then for us, you can follow us at Blue by 90 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, at Blue by 90 Podcast on YouTube and blueby90.com. We appreciate you. Go Blue. Go Blue.

Go Blue.