Andre Hal selected by Houston in 7th Round

May 10, 2014

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First of Two INTs vs. Tennessee

NEW YORK CITY – Vanderbilt cornerback Andre Hal was selected by the Houston Texans with the first pick of the seventh round in the NFL Draft today.

Hal, a senior from Port Allen, La., becomes the third senior off Vanderbilt’s 9-4 2013 squad taken in the draft. All-America wide receiver Jordan Matthews was selected No. 42 overall, in the second round by Philadelphia. All-SEC offensive lineman Wesley Johnson was picked in the fifth round by Pittsburgh Steelers.

Hal becomes the first Commodore ever picked by the Texans franchise.

Hal, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference recipient, is the fourth Commodore cornerback taken in the NFL Draft in the last six years, joining Casey Hayward (Green Bay, 2012), Myron Lewis (Tampa Bay, 2010) and D.J. Moore (2009).

As a senior in 2013, Hal earned Second Team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press and league head coaches after setting a Vanderbilt single-season record with 18 passes defended, including three interceptions. He also topped the conference in passes defended.

A preseason Thorpe and Nagurski Award candidate entering his final season, Hal also added 33 solo tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss from his cornerback position. He capped his career with a tremendous effort helping the Commodores defeat Houston in the BBVA Compass Bowl, registering nine tackles, an interception and three defensed passes.

As a junior, Hal also garnered All-SEC accolades from the Associated Press after contributing 36 solo tackles, two interceptions and 16 passes defended.

A 26-game starter who ranked among the SEC’s top kickoff returners as a sophomore, Hal ended his Commodore career amassed 96 solo tackles, 133 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 37 passes defended.

Hal completed his interdisciplinary studies degree in December.

42nd pick, 2nd Round Wesley Johnson, OL Pittsburgh 33rd pick, 5th Round Andre Hal, DB Houston 1st pick, 7th Round2013 Zac Stacy, RB St. Louis 27th pick, 5th Round Ryan Seymour, OL Seattle 14th pick, 7th Round2012 Casey Hayward, DB Green Bay 30th pick, 2nd Round Tim Fugger, DE Indianapolis 7th pick, 7th Round2010 Myron Lewis, DB Tampa Bay 3rd pick, 3rd Round Thomas Welch, OL New England 1st pick, 7th Round2009 D.J. Moore, DB Chicago 19th pick, 4th Round2008 Chris Williams, OL Chicago 14th pick, 1st Round Earl Bennett, WR Chicago 7th pick, 3rd Round Jonathan Goff, LB N.Y. Giants 30th pick, 5th Round2006 Jay Cutler, QB Denver 11th pick, 1st Round2005 Jovan Haye, DL Carolina 15th pick, 6th Round Justin Geisinger, OL Buffalo 23rd pick, 6th Round2003 Hunter Hillenmeyer, LB Green Bay 31st pick, 5th Round2001 Jamie Winborn, LB San Francisco 16th pick, 2nd Round Matt Stewart, LB Atlanta 7th pick, 4th Round John Markham, PK N.Y. Giants 29th pick, 5th Round Jimmy Williams, DB Buffalo 33rd pick, 6th Round1999 Fred Vinson, DB Green Bay 16th pick, 2nd Round1998 Corey Chavous, DB Arizona 3rd pick, 2nd Round Jamie Duncan, LB Tampa Bay 23rd pick, 3rd Round Anthony Jordan Indianapolis 12th pick, 5th Round1996 James Manley, DT Minnesota 15th pick, 2nd Round