Jackson Free Press

Tonight, the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft kicks off, with the second and third rounds set for Friday night. The early-round picks will contribute heavily to next season. The final day of the draft, featuring the fourth through seventh rounds, is when teams take chances.

NFL teams are willing to risk a late-round draft pick on a player who has had run-ins with the law, injuries, or other issues, as long as said player also has physical gifts or talent that should have gotten them drafted higher.

Belhaven University offensive tackle Matt Hall has all the physical skills to be drafted before Saturday, but he also has plenty of red flags against him.

Hall, a Russellville, Ark., native, began his college football career at University of Arkansas and later went on to the University of Mississippi before finishing his final two years of eligibility with the Belhaven Blazers.

The 6'10", 325-pound tackle was the No. 4 overall prospect in the state, and Rivals.com ranked him as the 28th offensive tackle in the nation in 2008. After his senior season, Hall signed with the Razorbacks and redshirted his freshman year in 2008.

Hall played in 11 games for Arkansas, including the Liberty Bowl in 2009, before he and then-Head Coach Bobby Petrino stopped getting along. Hall decided to transfer to Ole Miss to play for former Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt, who had recruited him to play for the Razorbacks.

Due to NCAA transfer rules, Hall had to sit out the 2010 season, but suited up for the Rebels at guard and started every game in 2011. That was the last season Hall spent in Oxford.

Nutt got fired after the 2011 season, and Hall was arrested for DUI, simple assault, domestic violence and a few other charges. Hall was out at Ole Miss and eventually transferred to Belhaven.

Hall was on his best behavior at Belhaven and eventually became a two-year starter with the Blazers. Entering his senior season, NFL.com's Gil Brandt named Hall to the "Hot 100 Seniors" list. Hall also became a preseason NAIA All-American.

After finishing his senior year for the Blazers, Hall played in the East-West Shrine Game. The East team won the game 23-13.

Red flags will keep Hall from getting drafted earlier than the third day of the draft. He is also a one-position player (only playing right tackle), which will also hurt his draft status. But with his physical talents, a late-round selection wouldn't be surprising at all. Even if he isn't drafted, Hall's phone will likely ring as soon as the draft is over as teams fight for his services as an undrafted free-agent.