Korey Hall drafted by Green Bay Packers

Former Glenns Ferry and Boise State football star Korey Hall was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the NFL draft Sunday.

Hall, who was the WAC Defensive Player of the year the past two seasons for his play at linebacker for the Broncos, was happy to be picked in the draft.

"I'm just real excited, kind of sitting here with my family and friends celebrating," Hall said when contacted Sunday, shortly after he name was called.

"I've talked to the head coach (Mike McCarthy) on the phone and I talked to the special teams coach (Mike Stock) just a while ago. I'm heading over there Thursday for the mini-camp, and I'll be there all weekend."

Hall, a 2002 graduate of Glenns Ferry High School, graduated in December from Boise State University with a degree in construction management.

Hall is expected to be converted by the Packers to fullback, and to become a special teams player for the storied franchise.

Hall, a four-year starter at linebacker out of Glenns Ferry and one of BSU's star defensive players for the last three years, was the 191st overall pick in this weekend's NFL draft, the same spot former Boise State tight end Jeb Putzier was drafted in 2002.

Hall will join former fellow BSU teammate Darryn College, who was drafted in the second round by the Packers last year and won the starting left guard position.

Pro Football Weekly's analyst Nolan Nawrocki described Hall after the draft as "a productive overachiever.... He could have a chance on special teams in Green Bay...."

The Packers have only one fullback currently on the roster.

Hall had not been projected by most experts to be drafted that high, and in fact most believed he would be picked up after the draft as a free agent.

Pro Football Weekly's pre-draft scouting reports, describing his strengths as a linebacker, said he was "instinctive and finds the ball quickly. Tough. Will battle through injury and has been durable. Great intangibles and football character. Has passion for the game."

Packer special-teams coach Mike Stock said Hall reminds him of Bears fullback Bryan Johnson, another converted Boise State linebacker, and expects him to be one of the team's "headhunters" on special teams.

The 6'1" 228-lb. Hall was named as a 2006 second-team All-American by the Sporting News and was the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, as well as earning first-team All-WAC honors (for the second consecutive year).

He was a quarter finalist for the Lott Trophy and named the Broncos' most outstanding defensive player in 2006.

He was second in all-time tackles in the Western Athletic Conference and fourth in Boise State history. He finished the 2006 regular season with 105 tackles (one shy of career best), 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a team-best six interceptions, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. He was first among the nation's linebackers in career interceptions.

Redshirted during the 2002 season, his first with the Bronco program, he was named as an honorable mention All-WAC his next year with the team (as a freshman) after finishing third on the Bronco team with 92 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

One of the top prep players in the state of Idaho, as a senior he was named the 2A Player of the Year after making 113 tackles and three quarterback sacks on defense, while rushing for 714 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns on offense. He was named first-team all-conference at both linebacker and running back, received the league's Player of the Year award in 2001, and led the Glenns Ferry Pilots to the state 2A championship game. He was a four-year starter at Glenns Ferry High School and team captain during his senior year. He finished his high school career with 359 tackles and 2,802 yards rushing.

During his junior year he had earned first-team all-conference and second-team all-state honors on offense and defense, and as a sophomore, had earned first-team all-conference honors on offense and defense.

He also was an outstanding wrestler in high school, placing second in state championships as a senior.

His high school football coach was Joel Hermann.

Hall was one of four Boise State Broncos chosen in the draft, a school record.

Gerald Alexander, a safety, became the fourth highest pick in Boise State history going to the Detroit Lions in the second round. He was the 61st player taken.

Legedue Naanee, a wide receiver who started his career at quarterback, went to the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round.

Derek Schouman, a four-year starter at tight end from Eagle High School in Eagle, was picked by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round. He was the 222nd overall pick.

Six other BSU Broncos were quickly signed after the draft as undrafted free agents, including quarterback Jared Zabransky, who signed with the Houston Texans.