The Bears selected Northern Iowa cornerback Deiondre’ Hall in the fourth round (127th overall) of the NFL Draft.
The 6-2, 192-pound Hall was a three-year starter at Northern Iowa. He had six interceptions and three forced fumbles as a senior in 2015. He is considered a raw talent, but with the height and length (34 3/4-inch arms) that NFL teams are looking for at cornerback and has drawn comparisons to former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman.
“I’ve always loved Charles Tillman,” Hall said. “I’ve always tried to model my game after him — just being a ballhawk and getting that ball out. That’s one of the key [points of] emphasis throughout my time at Northern Iowa. Not mimicking his game, but taking bits and pieces and adding it to mine.”
Former Bears director of college scouting Greg Gabriel compared Hall to Tillman in his draft guide for Pro Football Weekly. Gabriel’s report:
“Reminds me some of Charles Tillman when he was coming out,” former Bears scout Greg Gabriel wrote in his draft guide for Pro Football Weekly. “Tillman had awful footwork entering his first camp, and Hall’s might be a little bitter. He’s going to need a year to develop the finer points in coverage, but the upside is there.”
Gabriel had Hall pegged as a second- or third-round pick, but Hall, who is from Blue Springs, Mo. near Kansas City, was thrilled to get drafted by the Bears in the fourth round.
“Emotions are running high,” he said. “Got the call [from the Bears] and the reaction here at home is crazy — family all running around. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
