With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

[Nick]

Could he provide the same impact as David Vobora in his rookie year? Discuss!

[RockinRam]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

I like what I see.



April 21, 2010 | Last Updated: 4/21/10 8:00 AM ET | Comments (0)
By: TONY PAULINE

The Good: Tough, blue-collar linebacker with a terrific head for the game. Breaks down well, uses his hands to protect himself and slides off blocks lateral laterally. Instinctive, quickly diagnoses the action and fires up the field in run defense. Stacks well against the run, holds his ground against blocks and wraps up tackling. Wraps up ball-carriers at the point of attack.

The Bad: Possesses a marginal burst of speed, not quick changing direction and struggles in coverage. Beaten downfield by tight ends and does not display good range on the field.

The Verdict: Hull did a terrific job the past few seasons after being forced into the starting lineup. Lacks the great upside but is a solid run defender who can back up on the inside of a 3-4 alignment or be used at middle linebacker as well is on special teams.

[thoey]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

From CBS Sportsline:

03/23/2010 - PRO DAY RESULTS: Penn State's pro day speaks for itself. A number of highly touted prospects worked out, and most of them posted outstanding numbers. The March 17 event was held indoors on FieldTurf in front of 25 team representatives. Both of the 40-yard dashes were run in the same direction, and some eye-opening times were recorded. Here is a look at the top players who participated: LB Josh Hull (6-2 7/8, 236) ran a 4.76 and 4.81 in the 40, had a 32-inch vertical jump, a 9-9 broad jump and a 6.73 three-cone drill. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com

Career Notes

Josh Hull is living the dream so many student-athletes only hope for but never see fulfilled. Hailing from nearby Penns Valley HS, he matriculated to Penn State as a walk-on in 2005, just looking for an opportunity to contribute to the team. Three years later, Hull's talent, hard work, intelligence and dedication saw 2008 become a banner year in his young life. He earned a scholarship and the starting assignment at middle linebacker in every game last season, emerging as a consistently productive player and the team's No. 2 tackler with 75 hits. One of the team's premier students, Hull also was selected a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, one of a program-record four Nittany Lions so honored in 2008. He and Andrew Pitz will have an opportunity to become just the seventh and eighth Nittany Lions to earn first-team Academic All-America honors twice. Hull compiled a superlative 3.92 grade-point average during the 2008 fall semester for Dean's List accolades and had a 3.54 cumulative GPA following the spring semester.

Hull's athletic and academic success is not a surprise to those who have watched his progress over the past three years. In 2007, he played in every game, recording 18 tackles. In the spring of 2008, Hull and Jeremy Boone were named co-recipients of the team's Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award. To cap a stellar 2008-09 academic year for Hull, he was named recipient of the Eric A. Walker Award, presented annually to the Penn State student who has contributed most to enhancing the reputation of the University through extracurricular activities. Walker was president of Penn State from 1956-70. The tough, intense and instinctive Hull attacks his conditioning sessions and practice with the same passion and determination he brings to gameday. One of the squad's most active members in community service, Hull will be looked to for leadership and even more contributions on defense and special teams. His younger brother, Ethan, is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman who joined the team at the beginning of the 2008 season. Hull is on schedule to graduate in December.

2009 Season

A two-year starter at middle linebacker, Hull was a 2009 second team All-Big Ten selection. He led Penn State and was No. 5 in the Big Ten with 116 tackles (8.9 avg.). The former Penns Valley High School standout recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, with two sacks for minus-14 yards, two interceptions and two pass break-ups. Hull made 10 or more tackles seven times this past season, with a career-high 13 hits three times. A two-time first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, Hull graduated in December, earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

2008 Season

When Sean Lee suffered a season-ending knee injury in April 2008, the coaching staff moved Hull from outside to middle linebacker and he provided consistently strong play all season. Hull delivered a breakout season, starting every game in the middle. He was second on the squad with 75 tackles (41 solo), with 5.5 tackles for losses, one sack, one interception, three pass breakups and a team-high two fumble recoveries. Hull was fifth in minus-yardage plays and led the Lions in tackles four times. Hull's top game of the season came in his first Big Ten road start, at Purdue. By halftime, he already had broken his career-high for tackles with nine and he finished with 11 solo stops. He made a critical stop on a third-and-one play as he forced Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter out of bounds for a two-yard loss. That led to a missed field goal, as Hull and the defense limited the Boilermakers to just six points. In the 45-14 win over Oregon State, Hull recorded six tackles and grabbed his first career interception, returning it 14 yards deep into Beavers' territory to set up a Kevin Kelly field goal. Hull recorded seven tackles and one pass breakup in the primetime victory over Illinois and had four stops and a huge fumble recovery in the 48-7 win at Wisconsin. In the 46-17 win over Michigan, Hull recorded five tackles, including 1.5 TFL, as the Lions held the Wolverines scoreless over the final 43 minutes. Hull was huge in one of Penn State's best defensive performances of the Big Ten era, as he recorded eight tackles in the thrilling 13-6 win at Ohio State. He led the defense with eight tackles at Iowa. In the third quarter, he recovered a fumble deep in Hawkeyes' territory that led to a Derrick Williams touchdown run and a 23-14 Lion lead. In the 34-7 victory over Indiana, he recorded a team-high seven tackles, which included his first career sack. Hull made a game-high nine tackles (six solo) against Southern California in the 2009 Rose Bowl, including a tackle for a five-yard loss. For the season, he saw action on 751 snaps, led by 72 against the Trojans and 68 against Illinois. Hull was selected a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American, one of four Nittany Lions so honored, and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second time. In the spring of 2008, Hull and punter Jeremy Boone were named co-recipients of the team's Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award. The award goes to junior class squad members who consistently follow through with their responsibilities in all facets of the football program and do so in an exemplary manner. This includes academic pursuits, off-season preparation, in-season commitment, demeanor and community service.

2007 Season

Hull saw action in all 13 games, recording 18 tackles. In the season-opener with Florida International, Hull saw significant playing time, recording three tackles. He also tallied three stops against Buffalo. The talented and hard-working Hull played well in the 38- 7 win over No. 19 Wisconsin, making two tackles and one pass breakup. He made two tackles in the Alamo Bowl against Texas A&M, including 0.5 TFL. He was on the field for 292 snaps, topped by 39 in the win over Wisconsin.

2006 Season

Hull played in every game on defense and special teams, recording six tackles (four solo). He added depth to arguably the nation's top linebacker unit. Hull made a season-high three tackles against Northwestern and added single stops each against Michigan, Illinois and Michigan State. He was on the field for 166 snaps, with a season-high 23 plays against Temple. He compiled a 3.69 grade-point average during the fall semester to make the Dean's List, also gaining Academic All-Big Ten honors.

[thoey]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

Based off the post by Rockin, not sure where he fits. Not going to take the middle away from the Animal, so what? Special teams and depth?

[tomahawk247]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

Based off the post by Rockin, not sure where he fits. Not going to take the middle away from the Animal, so what? Special teams and depth?

Exactly. Do we have a back up MLB? Not that Laurinaitis is going to go down, but its good to have the option. Looks like Diggs and Vobora are entrenched at the OLB spots, unless we pick someone up from the cuts.

[LA Rammer]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

cool now we have Null and Hull.

[SLSG]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

Can't he back up SLB and MLB ?

[general counsel]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

if he is a back up and special teams player, we did well at the end of draft.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[Bralidore(RAMMODE)]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

one pick away from mister irrelevant. If this guy becomes solid in special teams at the very least then this was a great pick. Tough blue collar guy who puts you on your back, ill take it all day.

[Nick]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

I agree with what others have said - if Hull makes the roster and can contribute at all on special teams, this will be a win. When you get this far down in the draft, you're just hoping to find guys that can contribute in some way.

[TheBritishRam]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

He could be become a back-up to Laurinaitis, i don't think the Rams have one at the moment

[BM_Face]

Re: With the 254th pick in the NFL Draft, the Rams select Josh Hull, LB, Penn State

He can tackle. We need defenders that can hold their ground, mind their gaps, and wrap people up at the point of attack. Hull seems like a great value.