Iowa Defensive Back TJ Hall Taken In Seventh Round Of 2026 NFL Draft
Key keywords: 2026 NFL Draft, TJ Hall, Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back, seventh round NFL selection, NFL defensive prospect, Big Ten college football, Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft picks, late round NFL steal
The 2026 NFL Draft wrapped up over the weekend with a well-deserved honor for one of the Big Ten’s most consistent defensive playmakers, as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back TJ Hall was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 237th overall pick in the seventh round.
A three-year starter for Iowa’s vaunted defensive unit, Hall built a reputation as a reliable, versatile defensive back throughout his college career, logging 128 total tackles, 32 pass deflections, 7 interceptions, and 2 pick-six touchdowns across 39 collegiate games. The 6’1”, 195-pound defensive back earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 after finishing the season with 47 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions, playing both outside cornerback and nickel slot roles for the Hawkeyes to fill gaps in the team’s secondary.
Hall’s pre-draft process raised his profile among NFL scouts, as he ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, posted a 38-inch vertical jump, and earned high marks for his football IQ and route recognition skills during team interviews. Most draft analysts projected Hall to be selected in the late fifth or sixth round, making his fall to the seventh round a surprising value opportunity for the Buccaneers, who entered the draft looking to add depth to their thin defensive backfield and special teams units.
Speaking to reporters shortly after his selection, Hall said, "This is a dream I’ve had since I was 7 years old playing flag football in my backyard. I owe everything to the coaching staff at Iowa who pushed me every day, my teammates who had my back through every win and loss, and my family who never let me give up when I was benched as a freshman. I know a lot of teams passed on me, but I’m going to show up to Tampa every single day and work harder than anyone else to prove I belong in this league."
Buccaneers defensive coordinator K.J. Black praised the pick in a post-draft press conference, noting that Hall’s versatility makes him a perfect fit for the team’s defensive scheme. "TJ can play every spot in our secondary, he’s a physical tackler who can contribute on special teams right away, and he’s got the work ethic to develop into a long-term starter for us. We couldn’t believe he was still on the board when we got to our final pick, this is a huge win for our roster."
Featured Comments
As a lifelong Hawkeyes fan, I couldn’t be prouder of TJ! He’s been a silent playmaker for our secondary for three years, and the Bucs got an absolute steal in the seventh round. Dude never shies away from big tackles and has some of the best route recognition I’ve seen from a college DB in recent years. Can’t wait to watch him ball on Sundays.
I was low-key confused when we picked a DB this late, but after looking up his tape? This is the best low-risk high-reward pick we made all draft. Our corner depth was garbage last season, and he can slot right in on special teams immediately while he develops. Great value pick for Tampa.
Hall falling to the seventh round is one of the biggest surprises of this year’s draft. His combine numbers were solid, his production at Iowa is undeniable, and he’s got the versatility every defensive coordinator looks for. If he puts in the work on his technique against elite receivers, he could be a multi-year starter in the league. Massive win for the Bucs here.
Love seeing underrated Big Ten players get their shot. TJ had to fight for playing time his first two years at Iowa and never complained, just outworked everyone around him. That kind of mindset is exactly what you want in a late round pick. Rooting for him hard.