BYU QB Jaren Hall Declares For 2023 NFL Draft

PROVO, Utah – The future of BYU quarterback Jaren Hall is now official. Hall is moving on from BYU and declaring for the NFL Draft.

“This has been an amazing ride. Words can’t explain the joy I had playing in LES for my hometown. Thank you for everything. I’ve grown in ways that I can’t describe. I can’t tell you enough how much my family and I have appreciated the support. Thanks to my brothers and coaches, I have been blessed to grow from many life altering experiences on the gridiron. Looking forward to the next stage of my football career by officially declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. Thank you Cougar Nation. I’ll always carry this university with me in my heart. Go Cougs,” wrote Hall in a social media post.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound signal-caller had one more year of eligibility, thanks to the COVID year in 2020. But he’s foregoing that to pursue a career in the NFL.

Cougar Nation 🫡 pic.twitter.com/h30mgtIzgz

— Jaren Hall (@jarenhall3) December 24, 2022

Hall finished his BYU career with 6,294 passing yards and tossed 52 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions. A Maple Mountain High School graduate in Utah, Hall signed with BYU in Kalani Sitake’s first recruiting class in 2016.

Hall took over the starting quarterback spot in 2021 after Zach Wilson declared for the NFL draft. He was BYU’s starting quarterback for two seasons, posting a record of 15-7.

Breaking: Jaren Hall has declared for the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/Pyi4dgL7vB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 24, 2022

During Hall’s time as the starting QB, BYU notched wins over Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Boise State, Stanford, USC, Utah, Virginia, Washington State, and others.

Hall accepted an invitation to the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl, one of the premier All-Star games for NFL draft prospects.

Hall’s legacy at BYU

Jaren Hall put together a two-year run that should put him among the ten best quarterbacks in BYU football history. Hall’s leadership was one of the standout traits in his career. He was a captain for the Cougars and a leader by example to many in the program.

Kalani Sitake on #BYU QB @jarenhall3: "He's the perfect example for everyone to watch."#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/5w2jRTvAkH

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 26, 2022

The patience Hall displayed in waiting for his time to become the starter is something that BYU coach Kalani Sitake has spoken glowingly about in the past. Entering the 2019 season, Hall was in a close quarterback battle with Zach Wilson.

On the field, Hall evolved into a pass-first quarterback but still possesses the ability to pop off a big gain on the ground with his legs.

Jaren Hall can make it happen with his feet. 🏃‍♂️ 🤙 pic.twitter.com/vgUbU3m8mz

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 27, 2022

When Hall stepped in as the starting quarterback against USF in 2019, he made history by becoming the first Black starting QB at BYU.

During his career at BYU which dates back to 2018, Hall dealt with his share of injuries. In 2019, he had two concussions. The following season, he was out the entire year due to a hip injury. In 2021, he played through cracked ribs; in 2022 he played through a shoulder injury, then was sidelined with a right ankle injury.

Jaren Hall is elite at ball security

One of the top traits of Jaren Hall’s skillset is his ball security. In that regard, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick feels he is already elite by NFL standards.

.@jarenhall3's NFL Draft stock 📈

"He's playing next-level football right now." – @LRiddickESPN on Hall during #USUvsBYU #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL @kslsports
🎥: @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/U33EMjIH9q

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 30, 2022

“Every NFL scout I’ve talked to about Jaren says his best quality is how well he takes care of the football,” said BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick in October. “You watch NFL games [on Sunday] and interceptions, fumbles, those are the turning points in those NFL games. And the margin of victory is so small in that league. They are looking for guys who can take care of the ball, and everyone mentions it about him.”

Hall has made that a top priority during his BYU career. Along with improving his accuracy down the field.

“I feel like that’s something I’ve had to kind of learn the older I’ve gotten is there’s a time and a place,” Hall said to UnRivaled on the KSL Sports Zone when asked if he wants to open things up more through the passing game. “There’s a lot of opportunities that a lot of quarterbacks feel pressured or when things aren’t going well feel like they need to start doing stuff. And luckily, I have a lot of mentors around me and coaches that have talked me through those situations and just remind me to just play within myself.”

Jaren Hall with a strike to Puka Nacua.

🎥: @CFBONFOX
pic.twitter.com/OiEusvRyli

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 6, 2022

Back-to-back starting QBs drafted from BYU?

Two years ago, former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson declared for the NFL draft and was selected No. 2 overall by the New York Jets. If Jaren Hall is selected in the NFL draft, which many believe he is a Top 100 prospect, it will give BYU back-to-back starting QBs drafted into the NFL for the first time since the early 1980s (Marc Wilson & Jim McMahon).

Things to know about Jaren Hall

• Jaren Hall will be turning 25 years old on March 24.
• Hall served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Roseville, California.
• Only the third BYU QB to pass for 3,000 yards and run for 300+ (Taysom Hill, Steve Young).
• He finished 13th all-time in BYU’s career passing yards list with 6,294 yards.
• Hall is married to former UVU soccer player Breanna McCarter.
• The couple has a daughter together, Jayda Mae Hall.
• Launched an anti-bullying NIL campaign called Kindness Counts.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU moving to the Big 12 Conference on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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