AUSTIN, Texas — Nikolas Hall learned how to handle attention at an early age. His skills on the football field have set him apart from his fellow teammates. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman is one of the top players in Central Texas.
"I was the tallest kid, the biggest kid, just got a lot of stares and stuff like that," Hall said. "The older I got the more I've started to enjoy my gifts."
Now a senior at Austin Akins High School, it's Hall's play on the football field that's grabbing attention.
“I’m starting to learn how to use my body and use my strength now," Hall said. "Our fun is being able to put that guy in front of us on the ground.”
Hall received more than a dozen scholarship offers during his recruitment.
"At first it was really fun to get all these texts on Twitter and these phone calls," said Hall about the recruiting process. "I wanted to commit to Kentucky because I already knew that it was my home. I really didn’t want to keep going through with this recruiting process during the season. I wanted to focus.”
By committing to the University of Kentucky, Hall is following in his dad's football footsteps. Antonio Hall was an All-SEC lineman for the Wildcats in the early 2000s.
“My dad is the reason I’m playing football," Hall said. "Hearing his stories, hearing people talk about him, reading old newspapers, seeing pictures of him on billboards, it just really wanted to make me be that next guy in our family."
Hall added that although his dad has been influential in his career, he's never felt pressured to replicate his football life.
“He told me, just be yourself. You’re not trying to be me. You’re not trying to be somebody else. You’re trying to be the best version of you," Hall said.
Hall's combination of size, strength and quickness is what is coveted in the trenches by college programs. His talent is also something that's rarely been seen at Akins. Hall is expected to be the first Eagles player to go straight to Division I from high school.
“It’s humbling being able to come from this high school and really put this school on the map," Hall said. “We’ve never really had any talent come out. The fact that I’m in my position to represent this brand and this school, it feels good.”
A sentiment echoed by his teammates.
“Since I was a little pudgy kid playing on the field, they knew I was gonna do big things. They’re just really happy to see me get the recognition that they think I deserve," Hall said while helping to set a foundation for the next generation of Akins players.
“I just couldn’t leave here because I love it so much," Hall said. "They always ask me why I stay, what’s so special about here? It’s just, this is my family.”