Mike Hull (linebacker)

Mike Hull
No. 45 Miami Dolphins
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: (1991-05-25) May 25, 1991
Place of birth: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school: Canon-McMillan
College: Penn State
Undrafted: 2015
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 4, 2016
Total tackles: 4
Sacks: 0.0
Forced fumbles: 0
Recovered fumbles: 0
Player stats at NFL.com

Michael Thomas Hull (born May 25, 1991) is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Penn State. He was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

Early life

Born in 1991 to Tom and Donna Hull in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Hull was drawn to football early in his life. His father played at Penn State from 1971 until 1973, and also played professionally; he was Mike's first coach. In high school, Hull played running back and linebacker at Canon-McMillan, excelling on both sides of the football. Although he drew interest from schools including Ohio State and Michigan, Hull committed to his father's alma mater, Penn State, in 2008.[1]

In addition to football, Hull also excelled in wrestling, track and baseball. He was a top wrestler in high school, and despite having separated his shoulder in an all-star football game a month prior, he clinched the victory for his team in the final bout of the 2010 WPIAL championship match.[2] In track & field, Hull posted a personal-best time of 11.56 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the 2010 PIAA District 7 AAA Championships.[3] He also threw the shot put, notching a top-throw of 12.88 meters (42-2) at the 2010 Dick Dei Track Classic.[4]

College career

After redshirting in 2010, Hull contributed on special teams during Penn State's 2011 season. In wake of sanctions imposed on Penn State due to the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, Hull strongly considered transferring to Pittsburgh, but ended up staying with Penn State, owing his decision to Penn State's Linebacker U reputation and encouragement from older players.[5][6] Ultimately, he was the fourth linebacker on Penn State's 2012 roster, and embodied Penn State's linebacker tradition by working hard on special teams – he blocked a punt in Penn State's game against Ohio State, learning from veteran linebackers Michael Mauti, Gerald Hodges, and Glenn Carson, and making the most of opportunities when they presented themselves, including a 74-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Navy.[7] He concluded the season with 58 tackles, five for a loss, and four sacks. Although Mauti and Hodges graduated, Hull entered the season as a returning "fourth starter", cognizant that his previous season "set the stage" for his future as a starter.[8]

After struggling with a knee injury early in the season, Hull ultimately played in 10 games, starting in eight of them during the 2013 season. He played injured early in the season, noting that "it is what it is", and doing the best he could.[9] After Penn State defeated Michigan in four overtimes, Penn State coach Bill O'Brien commented that Hull "plays a very gritty, instinctive style of football, so when he makes big plays like the pass he broke up against Michigan on the wheel route, that fires the team up."[2] He finished second on the team with 78 tackles, and compiled 4.5 tackles for a loss.[10] Hull converted to inside linebacker for the 2014 season, having predominantly played outside linebacker earlier in his career at Penn State. Concurrently, he assumed a role of vocal leadership on the Penn State defense, and was named a captain by his peers.[11][12] As the season began, he quickly emerged as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten, and led the Nittany Lions' defense in tackles early in the season. He recorded 16 of them, a career high, in Penn State's loss against Northwestern.[13]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, Hull signed with the Miami Dolphins.[14] On September 5, 2015, Hull was released from the team for final roster cuts,[15] but signed to the team's practice squad a day later.[16] Hull was called up from the Dolphin's practice squad on November 14, 2015 and made his NFL debut on November 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles.[17] On November 28, 2015, he was waived. On December 1, 2015, he was re-signed to the practice squad.

References

  1. ↑ Fitz, Sean (April 1, 2010). "Magazine profile: Mike Hull". BlueWhiteIllustrated.com - Rivals.com. Yahoo!. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  2. 1 2 Johnson, Travis (October 26, 2013). "Fiery defensive leader Mike Hull bounces back to lead Lions against Ohio State". Centre Daily Times. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  3. ↑ http://pa.milesplit.com/meets/66656/results/123877
  4. ↑ http://wv.milesplit.com/meets/68411/results/117432
  5. ↑ Fittipaldo, Ray (September 20, 2012). "Penn State linebacker Mike Hull waits in the wings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  6. ↑ Snyder, Audrey (November 19, 2012). "Next man up: Penn State's Mike Hull reflects on what teammate Michael Mauti taught him". The Patriot News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ Juliano, Joe (November 3, 2012). "Mike Hull typfies [sic] Penn State and its linebacker tradition". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  8. ↑ Rittenberg, Adam (March 27, 2013). "Penn State's Mike Hull sets stage for breakout season". Big Ten Blog - ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  9. ↑ McGonigal, John (October 8, 2013). ""It is what it is" - Penn State linebacker Mike Hull played hurt against Indiana, and will continue to do so". The Daily Collegian. University Park, PA. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ Flounders, Bob (February 25, 2014). "Penn State's 2015 Combine Contenders include Adrian Amos, Mike Hull and Zach Zwinak". The Patriot News. Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ Pickel, Greg (April 3, 2014). "Inside job: Move to the middle giving Penn State LB Mike Hull freedom to play, speak". The Patriot News. Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ Dent, Mark (August 17, 2014). "Hull embraces leadership role". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ Pickel, Greg (September 27, 2014). "Hull has a career day in Lions' loss to Northwestern". The Patriot News. Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  14. ↑ http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/05/02/dolphins-sign-penn-state-lb-mike-hull-and-other-undrafted-free-agents/
  15. ↑ http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150905/SPORTS/150909651
  16. ↑ "PRESS RELEASE: Dolphins Sign 8 To Practice Squad". MiamiDolphins.com. September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ Poupart, Alain (November 16, 2015). "Mike makes a Hull of a debut". Miami Dolphins. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
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