Erick Hallett’s dream of making it to the NFL came true Sunday when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected the former Pittsburgh defensive back in the sixth round, No. 208 overall.
However, almost all to no avail.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke revealed Saturday that their phone calls to Hallett were going directly to voicemail. However, Baalke said that once they got to Hallett, he «was fired up.»
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«Everybody reacts differently. Some guys are just emotional,» Pederson added. “They are overwhelmed. They hear their name on the big screen. And at the same time they are excited to know where they are going to be and go to work.
«All of them, as Trent alluded to, all of these guys are big-character guys. They’re going to be a perfect fit for our roster right now. And they’re excited to get in there and go to work.»
Hallett told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that her mother, Nia, finally got her to answer the phone.
«She answered the call, looked at me and said, ‘Why don’t you answer your phone?'» Hallett told the newspaper Monday. «I had no idea it was playing.»
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Nia Hallett added: «I don’t even remember, that’s the sad part. It’s all a blur. I just wanted to give him the phone as quickly as possible.»
Hallett played four seasons in Pittsburgh before turning professional. In 2022, he had 54 total tackles and three interceptions in 13 games.
Baalke said Saturday that Hallett’s defensive versatility was one of the main reasons he was drafted.
«He’s played some safety. He’s played some nickel. And, again, once we recruit them and they get here, I think our coaches are looking at them in that same capacity. Where does he fit best? Is he competing for the job at nickel? Big nickel point? You know, potentially safety,» he said.
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«Player versatility was something that was very attractive to us at that point in the draft.»