In a scene that would’ve been highly unlikely just a few years ago, Fredericksburg native Jordan Hall returned to James Monroe High School Friday as a Division-I football player bearing gifts.
Hall, a sophomore linebacker at Michigan State University, presented the JM athletic department with a $3,500 check during halftime of a boys’ basketball game as a way to give back to the school that helped launch his football career.
Hall said that were it not for the endorsements he’s garnered since the NCAA permitted college athletes to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in 2021, it wouldn’t be possible to show his altruistic side in such a manner.
“NIL definitely played a big part in me being in this situation,” Hall said. “But that’s not to be confused with the amount of hard work and effort that comes in with being able to reap the rewards of NIL and college football.”
Hall played his freshman season at James Monroe and recorded 93 tackles (19.5 for loss) before transferring to IMG Academy in Florida, where he developed into an Under Armour All-American.
He noted that his freshman season at MSU coincided with NIL’s infancy.
Jordan Hall (left) collected toys for children at the Thurman Brisben Center, a homeless shelter in Fredericksburg, in December 2023. (Photo courtesy of Cyreeta Hall)
“It’s been beneficial and chaotic,” Hall said. “But it has more benefits than negatives. Once it’s kind of monitored a little bit better, gets a little more structure to it and a little more organization, it’ll be healthier. It’s played a big part in shaping college football into what it is today.”
Hall has multiple NIL deals from companies based in Michigan as well as global brands. His most recent endeavor was with Topps, an American trading cards and collectibles company. He recently signed more than 3,000 cards for the company.
“I’ve been blessed and fortunate enough to be in this position,” Hall said. “So, being able to give back is always a priority of mine … It’s always a rewarding feeling to be able to come back and do something like this and give back to a community that kind of started my path to where I’ve gotten to today.”
In addition to the donation, Hall held free summer youth football camps in Fredericksburg for two years. He didn’t hold one this past summer but plans to bring back the event in the future. He also collected more than 200 toys last December for children at the Thurman Brisben Center, a homeless shelter in Fredericksburg.
James Monroe Athletic Director Kenton Griffin, who coached Hall for one season as the Yellow Jackets’ defensive coordinator, said his former pupil leads by example in the community.
“I had the pleasure of coaching Jordan as a freshman here at JM and he was one of the best players in the state and one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached,” Griffin said. “Although he was a freshman, he commanded the defensive huddle and earned the respect of his peers … He was a great student-athlete and a model citizen for current JM athletes to emulate.”
On the field, Hall (6-foot-3, 236 pounds) is looking for a breakthrough junior season in 2025 with hopes of establishing himself as a future NFL draft pick.
As a freshman in 2023, he played in all 12 games and made six starts. He ranked fourth on the Spartans with 67 tackles and second in sacks and tackles for loss with 4.5 and 7.5, respectively.
This past season, under a new coaching staff, Hall finished with 24 tackles in 11 games played. The Spartans finished 5-7 and did not qualify for a bowl game.
“We didn’t have the year we anticipated or hoped for,” Hall said. “We’re still working out the kinks a little bit with the new coaching staff. But things are looking up. We’re in a good space right now. We’re just ready to get back in January and hit the ground running.”
