Early birthday gift: Former SJM standout drafted by Saints in 2026 NFL draft
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- The New Orleans Saints selected TJ Hall in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Hall earned third-team All-Big Ten honors at Iowa after recording 47 tackles and one INT.
- Hall led Iowa with 10 pass breakups and had one interception during the season.
The New Orleans Saints selected former San Joaquin Memorial standout TJ Hall in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Hall becomes the second former Panther drafted into the NFL in the past two years.
“It was awesome,” Hall told the New Orleans media. “Feels like a blessing. Thank God. My birthday and the draft always aligned up every year. It’s a good early birthday gift.”
After his time at San Joaquin Memorial, Hall went on to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. He finished the season with 47 tackles and one interception while leading the team with 10 pass breakups.
According to ESPN, Hall has shown “consistent route identification and good eye contact in zone coverage.”
Being drafted by the Saints also sets up a future matchup against former teammate Jalen McMillan, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Both teams are NFC South rivals.
Hall said he spent draft day surrounded by family and friends, waiting to hear his name called.
It finally came.
“This is the sport I’ve been playing all my life,” he said. “Just even to hear my name called today was a blessing.”
