Cleveland, OH
Browns select Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr., a Cleveland Heights native, at No. 54 in NFL Draft 2024
BEREA, Ohio — The Browns went back to the Buckeye well in the second round of the draft, selecting defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. in the second round with the 54th overall pick, and Hall is coming home.
Last year, they drafted offensive tackle Dawand Jones in the fourth round, and he was pressed into service as the starting right tackle in Week 3. They also have former Buckeye Denzel Ward at cornerback, who touted Hall in a press conference two weeks ago and posted a congrats on X on Friday night.
“Great addition in Mike Hall for the Browns,” Ward posted. “You can’t go wrong with the Buckeyes.”
Two weeks ago at the start of offseason program, Ward said, “I hope (we draft him). That’s a good player coming out in the draft from Ohio State that he’d be a good addition to the team I feel like.”
For Hall, a redshirt sophomore, the admiration was mutual.
“I mean, two Ohio guys growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, is just a great feeling,” Hall said on his draft conference call. “We know we’re real familiar with the area and to stay here our whole career, I mean, from Pop Warner to high school, middle school to college, to Ohio State, and then still staying home at the top of the peak of the level. So it’s just great.”
But Ward certainly isn’t the only former Buckeye with whom Hall can chant “OH-IO” in the locker room. He’s got three teammates from 2023 in right tackle Dawand Jones, center Luke Wypler, and safety Ronnie Hickman too.
“Oh, yeah, that’s my dog (Jone),” Hall said. “You know, Dawand, he just called me right before this. I mean, just, were talking about this the whole time, even with my formal, my 30 day visit. You know, he was just saying, like, ‘man, if you get here, it’s over with.’ We’re the best duo, like offense defense wise. And we bring a lot of juice at practice, even at Ohio State. I know it’s going to be ten times more at the next level, but really blessed to be able to play with my brother for life.”
Born in the Cleveland suburb of Garfield Heights, Hall (6-foot-3, 290 pounds), who turns 21 in June, played his high school ball at Streetsboro after starting out at East Cleveland’s Benedictine.
As a redshirt freshman, Hall was dubbed “Baby Aaron Donald” by his Buckeyes teammates because he was so difficult to block in practice.
A two-year starter at Ohio State, he earned top defensive lineman honors for the National Team at the Senior Bowl in January. He might need to add bulk in the pros, but his pass-rush win-rate was second among FBS defensive tackles. The 33rd Team’s Greg Cosell wrote: “Showed natural quickness off the ball in the run game with a snap to his movement, especially in confined spaces. Quick, explosive hand usage to break down OL in the run game. Excellent balance and body control. He played strong off the snap with leverage and power to jar OL, then lockout with his hands and play off blocks.”
Browns assistant GM Glenn Cook, said their phone started ringing in the war room 20 minutes before the pick about trades, and didn’t stop. He credited Browns GM Andrew Berry with patiently waiting for the pick and resisting the temptation to trade it.
“The way I would describe him is a shapeshifter, the way he can move his body, the way he can attack the quarterback,” Browns assistant GM Andrew Berry said. “I think probably next to Andrew, the happiest person was (defensive coordinator) Jim Schwartz. Just with our attacking style. He really fits our model and our style.
“So just really excited with his ability, with his upside, his ability to impact the quarterback. Those are the things I would highlight just to start, but really excited to get him.”
Browns assistant GM Catherine Raiche said Hall’s ability to rush the passer from the interior is a premium trait and something NFL teams covet.
“Those players will either go off the board early or get paid (in free agency),” Raiche said.
She noted that the Browns view his size (6-3, 290), a little small for a defensive tackle, as an asset and not a liability.
“I think when you look at how we play the position and how we ask our guys to get off the ball and how athletic they need to be and how quick they need to be, that’s what Michael is going to bring to the table,” she said.
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Hall was a third-team All-Big Ten Conference selection in 2023, recording a career-high 24 tackles. He had only 1.5 sacks, but notched 4.5 the year before to go with his 7.5 tackles for a loss.
“We saw all the things you look for at the position (in Hall),” Cook said.
Raiche shared the exchange between defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and Hall.
“Jim got on the phone with him, gave him a quiz and he was ready to roll and he is about to be the engine of this defense and I’m not going to use the words that they used,” she said. “But let’s just say ‘mess things up’ in the front there.”
Draft analyst Dane Brugler of The Athletic wrote, “With his first-step burst and lateral agility, Hall quickly gets vertical and is a tough player to handle one-on-one. He uses his long arms and natural leverage to work underneath blocks, although his lack of size and anchor put him in compromised positions, especially versus the run.
“Overall, Hall was more of a flash player than consistent force, but his quick-twitch movements and natural energy are the ingredients of a disruptive gap penetrator. If he stays healthy, he will be an immediate rotation player and eventual starting three -technique tackle in a four-man front.”
In the third round, when the Browns selected Michigan guard Zak Zinter, the tape revealed that Hall was the player who was shoved into Zinter and inadvertently broke his leg in Michigan’s victory over the Buckeyes on Nov. 25th. Zinter noted that the two players have “come full circle” as teammates now, and he can’t wait to join him.
By the time the Browns picked in the second round, several of the players high on their radar in that round were gone. They included Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who went 34th to the Chargers, Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, who went 36th to the Commanders, and Oregon center/guard Jackson Powers-Johnson, who went 44th to the Raiders.
The Browns headed into Day 2 with picks No. 54 in the second round and No. 85 in the third round. They also have four picks on Day 3: No. 156 in the fifth round, No. 206 in the sixth round, No. 227 in the seventh round and No. 243 in the seventh round.
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December 22, 2024 – American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release
(Cleveland, OH) – Zachary Metsa scored the game-winning-goal moments after Cleveland’s teddy bear toss tally, while Devon Levi and Rochester’s defense stood tall to secure a 3-2 win over the North Division rival Monsters Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The win is Rochester’s fifth consecutive victory on the road, along with its sixth win over the past seven games. The Amerks improved to 16-9-3-0, giving them 37 points on the season and tying them with Cleveland for second in the North Division as the AHL starts its annual holiday break.
FIRST PERIOD
The Amerks jumped on the attack early with several scoring chances before breaking through under five minutes into the game. Brett Murray and Viktor Neuchev exchanged possession with the puck right in front of the net. Neuchev took a shot from the right side that was kicked free by Cleveland’s Zach Sawchenko. The bouncing puck was scooped up by Murray, who knocked it through multiple bodies and into the back of the goal for his team-leading 13th goal of the season.
For the first time, Josh Dunne scored against his former team. Dunne, who centered a hard-working line with Brendan Warren and Graham Slaggert, circled the zone with his linemates as Rochester maintained pressure throughout the shift. It culminated at the 10:11 mark of the first, when Warren slid a puck across to Metsa, who took a shot from the right point that Dunne tipped through traffic, eluding Sawchenko and doubling Rochester’s lead with Dunne’s fifth goal of the season.
SECOND PERIOD
Rochester dominated in shots with a 21-6 difference in the middle period, but Stanislav Svozil broke through first for Cleveland, taking a shot from the right wing with traffic taking the eyes away from Levi, making it 2-1 with 6:22 to play in the period. The goal served as the teddy bear toss goal for Cleveland, forcing the game into delay while thousands of stuffed animals were collected and donated.
After the festivities ended, the Amerks jumped right back into the action, scoring 35 seconds later with Metsa blasting a one-timer by Sawchenko. Metsa’s shot from the right point was unintentionally tipped by Cleveland defenseman Corson Ceulemans, surprising Sawchenko and putting the Amerks back up by a pair of goals, heading into the third period with a 3-1 advantage.
THIRD PERIOD
Cleveland notched the lone third-period goal in the dying seconds of the game when Daemon Hunt managed to solve Levi with 7.5 seconds remaining and the net pulled for the Monsters to have a 6-on-5 advantage. Nikita Novikov took a matching roughing penalty with Cleveland’s Owen Sillinger with 2:56 to play. The penalty was the lone infraction called against the Amerks as the red, white, and blue never allowed Cleveland a power play, marking the first time this season Rochester did not have to kill a penalty.
STARS AND STRIPES
With 23 saves, Levi picked up his ninth win of the season and his eighth in the last nine starts. The 22-year-old ranks eighth across the AHL 2.14 goals-against-average … Murray’s 13th goal of the season is his sixth in the last five games and 11th in the last 20 … The sixth-year pro is tied for the eighth-most goals in the AHL … Rochester extended its point streak in Cleveland to six games, going 5-0-1-0 in their last half dozen visits to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
UP NEXT
Rochester enters the AHL’s annual holiday break, with the team taking off Dec. 23-26. The Amerks return to play on Friday, Dec. 27 to begin a home-and-home weekend against the Utica Comets (6-14-1-2). The weekend begins at Blue Cross Arena with puck-drop slated for 7:05 p.m. Friday night and will be carried live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester as well as AHLTV on FloHockey.
Goal Scorers
CLE: S. Svozil (3), D. Hunt (1)
ROC: B. Murray (13), J. Dunne (5), Z. Metsa (2-GWG),
Goaltenders
CLE: Z. Sawchenko – 30/33 (L)
ROC: D. Levi – 23/25 (W)
Shots
CLE: 25
ROC: 33
Special Teams
CLE: PP (0/0) | PK (3/3)
ROC: PP (0/3) | PK (0/0)
Three Stars:
1. ROC – Z. Metsa
2. ROC – J. Dunne
3. CLE – S. Svozil
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board…
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Donald W. Fenner
OBITUARY
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald W. Fenner, age 90, of Mentor (formerly of Willowick), who died December 17, 2024, at home. Don was born in Cleveland, OH on August 13, 1934, to John and Emily (nee Maly) Fenner. He was a graduate of Cleveland South High School. Don was truly the best of us. A kind, generous and compassionate soul who left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He married the love of his life Margaret Ann (nee Fallon) in Sallisaw, Oklahoma on July 12, 1958, before he began his U.S. Army service in Korea. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2023. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2023.One of 10 children, Don, was honorably discharged in 1960 and then entered a 30-plus-year career as a salesperson and manager at Sears Roebuck Co. retiring in 1991. He had a second career as a property handyman where he took pride in his work at Parkshore Apartments, where he dedicated himself to enhancing apartment living. At home, his workshop in the garage became his haven where he spent countless hours crafting cemetery crosses, birdhouses, toy barns, gates, and more. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, and he saved everything “just in case” with a craftsman’s foresight. His resourcefulness and ingenuity were unmatched. His family was his greatest joy and deepest pride. A devoted father and grandfather, he cherished every moment spent with his loved ones, always putting their happiness and well-being first. His love knew no bounds, and his presence brought comfort, strength, and warmth to all who were lucky enough to call him family. Loved by all, Don had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. His laughter, wisdom, and kind heart will be profoundly missed but forever remembered. Don is survived by his cherished sons Donald (Robyn Francis) of Cleveland; and Jeff (Cindy) of Mentor; grandsons Christopher Fenner of Columbus; Ryan (Mary) Fenner of Hilliard; Michael Fenner of Willoughby and Brendan Fenner of New York City; sister Joan (nee Fenner) Morawski; brother-in-law Clement Nesnadny; and many nieces and nephews. He is also remembered fondly by his extended family and friends who were touched by his warmth and infectious spirit. Calling hours will be held Friday, December 27 from 3-7 p.m. at Brickman Bros. Funeral Home, 37433 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 32114 Vine St. Willowick, OH 44095. Internment is at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of Cleveland or St. Jude’s Research Hospital. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory continue to bring us smiles and laughter in the years to come.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police announced six more arrested in connection to the Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 street takeovers in a release Friday.
Cleveland police make arrests in Columbus in connection to September street takeovers
Cleveland Police said the six were arrested on Tuesday and the charges for them all range from aggravated riot, tampering with evidence, disruption of public service and possession of criminal tools to obstruction of official business.
Cleveland Police arrested the following individuals:
- Duane Thomas Sanders, Jr. age 22, of Cleveland
- Noah Scott Painting, age 20, of Brunswick
- Robert Hezekiah Polk, age 18, of Strongsville
- Imari Tylonic Cross, age 22, of North Canton
Below are the mugshots of the individuals arrested by Cleveland Police:
Troopers arrest 2 people in connection to Cleveland street takeovers
Parma Police arrested 23-year-old David Goldwin of Independence.
Linndale Police arrested 19-year-old Ali Zahid Jumma Al Jubainawi of Akron.
Below are the mug shots of Jubainawi (left) and Goldwin (right):
PREVIOUS: Cleveland City Council closer to enacting law that crackdowns down on street takeovers
Cleveland Police said this brings the total arrests to 15.
4 Columbus men accused in Cleveland street takeovers face judge
According to the release, there is an active warrant for 20-year-old Ethan James Yovann of Parma Heights.
The Street Takeover Task Force Tip Line is also still active.
PREVIOUS: Cleveland Police and the city plan pilot program to deter street takeovers
Anyone with information can call: 216-623-5474 or email to police@clevelandohio.gov.
Copyright 2024 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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