Breece Hall Bio
Breece Maelik Hall (born May 31, 2001) is an American professional football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, where he was a two-time All-American and two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Hall was selected by the Jets in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 36th overall pick, making him the first running back selected in that draft class.
Early Life and Background
Hall was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where he attended Wichita Northwest High School. During his junior season, Hall rushed for 2,082 yards and scored 36 total touchdowns, earning first-team All-Metro and first-team All-State honors. As a senior, he improved those numbers with 2,127 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, repeating his first-team All-State selection and being named Wichita Metro Player of the Year.
Hall comes from a family with deep football roots. His father, Bernard Hall, played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and in the Arena Football League. His step-father, Jeff Smith, enjoyed a four-year NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This family legacy provided Hall with early exposure to professional football at the highest levels.
Path to American Football
Hall’s standout high school career in Wichita established him as one of the top prospects in Kansas. His combination of vision, speed, and power made him a highly sought-after recruit. He chose to continue his academic and athletic career at Iowa State University, where he would soon become one of the most prolific running backs in school history.
His journey to national prominence began immediately upon arriving at Iowa State. Following the departure of David Montgomery to the NFL, Hall took over as the starting running back for the Cyclones as a true freshman. He made an immediate impact, earning co-Newcomer of the Week honors twice during the season. He finished his freshman year with 897 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, adding 23 receptions for 252 yards and one receiving touchdown, earning second-team All-Big 12 recognition.
Breece Hall Career
Iowa State Breakout (2019–2021)
Hall truly announced himself during his sophomore season in 2020. He put together an extraordinary campaign, rushing for over 100 yards in eight consecutive games to start the season. He finished the year as the FBS leader in rushing yards with 1,572 on 279 carries and scored 21 rushing touchdowns while also contributing 23 receptions for 180 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
For his efforts, Hall was named first-team All-Big 12 and the conference Offensive Player of the Year. More significantly, he became the first unanimous All-American in Iowa State school history, cementing his status as one of the top college players in the country. His 2020 season also saw him earn the title of NCAA rushing yards leader.
As a junior in 2021, Hall continued his dominance with 1,472 rushing yards, 302 receiving yards, and 23 total touchdowns. His consistent excellence across two seasons earned him a second consecutive Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year award and another first-team All-Big 12 selection. After the season, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year of eligibility.
New York Jets Era (2022–Present)
Hall was selected by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 36th overall pick, making him the first running back selected in that draft class. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2022 season against the Baltimore Ravens. His first professional touchdown came in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns on a ten-yard reception from quarterback Joe Flacco.
During Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, Hall delivered a breakout performance with 97 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards, plus a touchdown in the Jets’ 40–17 victory. The following week against the Green Bay Packers, he rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, earning FedEx Ground Player of the Week and Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors. However, his rookie season took a devastating turn in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos when he tore his ACL and meniscus in the second quarter, ending his year after just seven games.
Hall opened the 2023 season on the physically unable to perform list but was activated in August. He returned with a vengeance, highlighted by a 127-yard performance including an 83-yard run in the Jets’ Week 1 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. He continued his strong play throughout the season, recording 177 rushing yards against Denver in Week 5 and 191 scrimmage yards against Washington in Week 16. Hall finished the 2023 season with 994 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with 76 receptions for 591 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
In the 2024 season, Hall maintained his productivity with 876 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, adding 483 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns through the air. The Jets continued to build their offense around his versatile skill set as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hall combines exceptional vision with the ability to make cuts at full speed, allowing him to exploit holes in the defensive line and extend plays. His 4.5 career yards per carry average reflects his efficiency and ability to turn minimal space into positive gains. He is equally dangerous as a receiver, with 188 career receptions demonstrating his reliability in the passing game. His pass-catching ability, including a unique four-yard touchdown pass to Mason Fisher in 2025, shows versatility that keeps defenses off balance.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hall’s 2025 season saw him eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the third time in his career, finishing with 1,065 yards on the ground. In Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he made history by throwing a four-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor in the Jets’ 39–38 victory, their first win of the season. That performance showcased his rare athletic versatility for a running back. In March 2026, the Jets placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Hall before signing him to a three-year, $45.75 million contract extension, making him the third-highest-paid running back in the league.
Breece Hall Career Statistics
Across his first four NFL seasons, Hall has established himself as one of the most productive dual-threat running backs in the league. His career totals reflect consistency and durability when healthy, with his ability to contribute both on the ground and through the air making him a complete back.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Hall has accumulated 3,398 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 757 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. In the passing game, he has recorded 188 receptions for 1,642 yards and 9 receiving touchdowns. His 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 marked his third such achievement in four years, demonstrating his consistent production when available.
College Career Statistics
During his three seasons at Iowa State, Hall amassed 3,404 career rushing yards and 40 total touchdowns. His 2020 season as the FBS leader in rushing yards and his back-to-back Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year awards highlight a college career that ranks among the best in Cyclones history.
| Competition | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career | 3,398 | 18 | 188 | 1,642 | 9 |
| College (Iowa State) | 3,404 | 40 | 50 | 554 | 3 |
Breece Hall Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hall’s football bloodlines run deep through multiple generations. His father, Bernard Hall, played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and later in the Arena Football League, establishing an early foundation for Breece’s career. His step-father, Jeff Smith, spent four seasons in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, providing additional professional-level mentorship.
The family’s connection to professional football extends beyond his immediate household. His cousin, Kenton Keith, had a brief stint with the New York Jets in 2004, which would later become Hall’s NFL home, and also spent a season with the Indianapolis Colts. Hall’s third cousin is Hall of Fame running back Roger Craig, who won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers during the 1980s. This lineage gives Hall a unique connection to NFL royalty and a family tradition of excellence at the running back position.
Personal Life
Hall was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 31, 2001, making him 25 years old as of 2026. He grew up primarily in Wichita, Kansas, where he developed his football skills before embarking on his college and professional career. His upbringing in a football household provided him with both the physical tools and mental preparation necessary for success at the highest levels of the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a milestone year for Hall as he returned to form with his most complete professional campaign. Playing for a Jets team that struggled to a 1-7 start, Hall served as a consistent bright spot in the offense. He eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the third time in his career while maintaining his dual-threat capabilities as a receiver out of the backfield.
Hall’s signature moment of the season came in Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. In a dramatic 39–38 victory that gave the Jets their first win of the year, Hall not only rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns but also threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor that proved to be the difference in the game. That play demonstrated the unique athletic versatility that sets Hall apart from traditional running backs and provided one of the memorable moments of the Jets’ season.
The year ended on a high note with Hall’s new contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. At 25 years old and with his best seasons potentially ahead of him, Hall has positioned himself as a cornerstone player for the Jets’ offense moving forward. His combination of rushing productivity, pass-catching ability, and now occasional gadget-play usage makes him a multifaceted weapon that New York can build around for years to come.