Hall Sees Clear Vision for Himself and Wake Forest in 2025
6/30/2025 6:53:00 AM | Football
“I really wanted to be a part of something special here at Wake Forest.” - Aiden Hall
Scant few true freshmen played more than four games in the season during the Clawson Era, but linebacker Aiden Hall was one of the exceptions.
Pegged early as a difference-maker, Hall played in all 12 contests in 2023, grabbing 22 tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack. His season high (and still career best) output was a six-tackle effort against Florida State.
Though Hall battled through some injuries last season, he still played in nine games, finishing with 12 tackles and a sack, including a five tackle effort against Clemson. Along with redshirt seniors Dylan Hazen and Quincy Bryant, Hall is part of a trio that brings a massive amount of talent, experience and production in the linebacker room for new head coach Jake Dickert and linebackers coach (and defensive coordinator) Scottie Hazelton.
"It feels great," Hall said about the transition. "Change is always tough, but once you embrace it and come to work every day, it's just another day on the job with a new boss. It feels great."
Dickert emphasized the importance of retaining talented players from the 2024 season through the coaching change, and met with all of them individually. It didn't take long for Hall to realize Wake Forest was still the place for him.
"I stayed because of my team," he said. "I have faith in my guys and the people around me. I really wanted to be a part of something special here at Wake Forest.
"I just love it here. I love Wake Forest. I love the team, and I love my guys. That's really all I can say."
The Deacs went through an intense 15-practice slate over five weeks that culminated in the Spring Showcase. In multiple post-practice interviews, Dickert appeared pleased with the progress, energy and effort — except for one mid-camp workout.
"It's just like a game," Hall said after that practice. "You don't want to come out flat in the first quarter because if you do, you can't really bounce back. So, if we come out flat in practice, even if we finish strong, it kind of undermines it. We need to come out strong and finish strong."
With a retooled defensive line and an improving secondary, the linebacker room offers some stability and production that has returned to the Demon Deacons. To get to the next level, the entire defense will need to embrace what Hazelton is teaching and then play instinctually with emotion on gameday.
"It has been a huge change, but not necessarily in scheme — more in how we play, how we plan together, and our roles," Hall explained. "We all have to learn that everyone has different roles, and those roles have changed because of the new staff. So, we're all working together and bonding."
The Demon Deacons open the 2025 season on Friday, Aug 29 against Kennesaw State at Allegacy Stadium. That's the first of a seven-game home slate that features three opponents from North Carolina: Western Carolina, NC State and North Carolina.
Pegged early as a difference-maker, Hall played in all 12 contests in 2023, grabbing 22 tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack. His season high (and still career best) output was a six-tackle effort against Florida State.
Though Hall battled through some injuries last season, he still played in nine games, finishing with 12 tackles and a sack, including a five tackle effort against Clemson. Along with redshirt seniors Dylan Hazen and Quincy Bryant, Hall is part of a trio that brings a massive amount of talent, experience and production in the linebacker room for new head coach Jake Dickert and linebackers coach (and defensive coordinator) Scottie Hazelton.
"It feels great," Hall said about the transition. "Change is always tough, but once you embrace it and come to work every day, it's just another day on the job with a new boss. It feels great."
Dickert emphasized the importance of retaining talented players from the 2024 season through the coaching change, and met with all of them individually. It didn't take long for Hall to realize Wake Forest was still the place for him.
"I stayed because of my team," he said. "I have faith in my guys and the people around me. I really wanted to be a part of something special here at Wake Forest.
"I just love it here. I love Wake Forest. I love the team, and I love my guys. That's really all I can say."
The Deacs went through an intense 15-practice slate over five weeks that culminated in the Spring Showcase. In multiple post-practice interviews, Dickert appeared pleased with the progress, energy and effort — except for one mid-camp workout.
"It's just like a game," Hall said after that practice. "You don't want to come out flat in the first quarter because if you do, you can't really bounce back. So, if we come out flat in practice, even if we finish strong, it kind of undermines it. We need to come out strong and finish strong."
With a retooled defensive line and an improving secondary, the linebacker room offers some stability and production that has returned to the Demon Deacons. To get to the next level, the entire defense will need to embrace what Hazelton is teaching and then play instinctually with emotion on gameday.
"It has been a huge change, but not necessarily in scheme — more in how we play, how we plan together, and our roles," Hall explained. "We all have to learn that everyone has different roles, and those roles have changed because of the new staff. So, we're all working together and bonding."
The Demon Deacons open the 2025 season on Friday, Aug 29 against Kennesaw State at Allegacy Stadium. That's the first of a seven-game home slate that features three opponents from North Carolina: Western Carolina, NC State and North Carolina.
Players Mentioned
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