Former Herd cornerback readies for pros

A former Marshall football  player is beginning his transformation into a professional football player.

Ashton Hall, senior business management and marketing major, was the defensive back for Marshall's 2009-2010 football team.

"My career at Marshall has been great," Hall said. "It's had its ups and downs, but for the most part I enjoyed every minute of it."

With a total of 218 tackles and three interceptions, he now moves on to the Baltimore Ravens.

Ashton was named one of the captains of the team during the 2009-2010 season.

"I tried to lead the best I could for my younger teammates that will continue the Marshall Football tradition," he said.

He credits his hard work and positive reputation as key to making it to the next level.

Reputation has become a big part of the National Football League, because of past players' off-the-field actions.

"I can actually say my reputation has helped me a lot," Hall said. "Sometimes that can be the determining factor if someone makes a team or not."

His long road to accomplishing his NFL dreams has not been without forfeit.

"I made the sacrifice to drop out of school and flew to Atlanta, Ga., as soon as the season was over to begin intense training," he said. 

Dropping out of school was a necessary evil, Hall said. 

"I knew like I have always known, that this is what I want to do, so I got out there and got after it," he said.

However, Hall hopes to finish his academic career at Marshall.

"I'm not going to lie, Georgia is my home, but I have grown to really like the people in Huntington," he said.

After he got an agent, there was nothing left to do but play the waiting game.

"I always hoped and prayed to make it this far," Hall said.  "While the draft was going on, there was a lot of waiting around and talking on the phone.

"I was really worried about my mom and shocked that she didn't cry, but when we finally got the call we were ecstatic."

Unlike high school and college, the professional level must be treated like a business, Hall said.

"They aren't worried about your grades. It's strictly on athletic performance," he said.

Hall wont be the only familiar face Marshall fans will see in Baltimore, Md. 

"Ashton is a real stand up guy," said Albert McClellan, senior business management major from Lakeland, Fla.

McClellan was the defensive end for the Herd and also received a free agent deal with the Ravens.

"It's exciting to have someone coming from your program, going to the same place as you," Hall said. "I think it will make my transition to the NFL much smoother."

 "I'm excited to see how it turns out," McClellan said. 

In the next few weeks, Hall will go through initial meetings and mini camp, but he urges that he will never forget his college roots.

"I'll bleed green forever," he said.

Breanna Jones can be contacted at jones435@marshall.edu.