North Carolina State University Athletics
Haynes' World: Hall Part of a Recruiting Haul
2/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
Last fall, while he was shredding opposing defenses to the tune of 1,073 yards and 20 touchdowns, Tramain Hall was pondering his college options. In his hometown of Deerfield Beach, Florida, folks were asking, "will it be Florida, Florida State or Miami?"Who could blame him for thinking that way? After all, don't most of the SuperPrep All-Americans from South Florida go to one of the Sunshine State's Big Three?
Then one day the 5-11, 170 pound speedster dropped a bombshell. What would it be, Florida, Florida State or Miami? Hall told his friends that he'd decided to attend State-as in NC State.
"All of my teachers and my coach asked, why leave?" Hall said. "They'd say, 'why in the world would you go to NC State?' But think about it, it's not a bad place to be right now. We're in a building stage and I'm glad to be a part of that."
And Tramain is exactly the type of young man any coach would want to build his football program around. Ranked as the sixth best running back in the nation by SuperPrep Magazine, Hall sported a 3.2 gpa at Deerfield Beach. Oh, by the way, did we mention that he's already enrolled at NC State after graduating from high school in December? The early graduation and enrollment will allow him to participate in spring drills. I seem to remember another freshman using spring practice as a springboard to stardom. That guy's name was Philip Rivers.
"That's a huge factor," Hall said. "No matter what anyone says, you've got to come here and learn those plays. You've got to know what you're doing when you're out on that field."
Hall obviously knows what he's doing when he's out on the field. Timed at 4.34 in 40-yard dash, he used his speed to become one of the most feared offensive players in the state of Florida.
"The thing I do best is I make people miss," Hall said.
But one person he couldn't dodge was NC State head coach Chuck Amato, who recruited Hall with a vengeance. When he was an assistant at Florida State, Amato made a lot of friends in south Florida. It just so happens that many of those acquaintances work as high school football coaches and administrators.
When he visits with prospects, Amato tells them that anything is possible at NC State. Then he shows off one of the big national championship rings he picked up at Florida State.
"That's what made me so excited about this," Hall said. "Seeing that national championship ring and the way he talks about winning, that's what thrills me. I love winning and I know we can do it."
Hall was just one of 10 top notch Florida prospects that made NC State their college choice when the national signing period started on February 7. Hall, who envisions himself as a combination slot receiver and running back, is looking forward to playing alongside one of his high school rivals, Sterling Hicks. Just like Hall, Hicks, a 6-1, 165 pound receiver from Pompano Beach, stunned the recruiting gurus by picking the Pack. He also did a lot of damage when Pompano Ely met Hall's Deerfield Beach team last season.
"He (Hicks) had six catches for 222 yards against us," Hall recalled. "He's a thriller; he'll go deep on you and isn't afraid to go out there and get it either. He's not real thick, but those lanky receivers always seem to have great hands. He can run, and when he catches it he goes."
But of course, Hall didn't back down when he went up against his NC State teammate to be.
"My best game came against him," Hall said. "I had 10 receptions for 150 yards and 20 carries for 230 yards and three touchdowns. We tried to outdo each other. Now we're together."
Together at State -- that's NC State.
