Kellan Hall’s Ohio State camp workout puts a Chase Young comparison on the recruiting map

Ohio State’s defensive line staff got a close look at Kellan Hall, a five-star prospect from Christian Academy (Ky.), during the Buckeyes’ first high school camp of the summer. Hall, who is considered one of the top defensive linemen in the class of 2028, drew a notable label from Ohio State assistant head coach and defensive line coach Larry Johnson, according to reporting from multiple recruiting outlets. The comparison to Chase Young underscored how seriously Ohio State is treating Hall as a potential future interior-edge hybrid in its recruiting pipeline.

Hall’s camp appearance matters because Ohio State’s front-four approach depends on bringing in versatile linemen who can win on multiple paths, whether that is getting leverage as a defensive tackle, setting edges as a defensive end, or expanding their role as an all-around pass-rush piece. In this case, the “do-it-all” description attributed to Johnson frames Hall not as a one-skill project, but as a prospect the staff believes could fit several alignments as he matures physically.

According to reporting, Hall went through a full workout with the defensive linemen at Ohio State’s camp and specifically drew attention for the intensity and hands-on coaching he experienced from Johnson. Multiple stories described the day as more than a basic evaluation session, with Hall viewing the instruction as unusually direct compared with other camps he had attended. That type of interaction is often a key recruiting report for elite prospects, particularly those who are comparing staffs’ teaching styles, role projections, and development plans.

The reported Chase Young comparison carries extra weight in Columbus because Young is not just an NFL reference point, but a blueprint for how Ohio State turns high-end talent into NFL-ready production. Hall’s reported takeaway from the staff was that he could develop into a similar “do-it-all” type, with an emphasis on added weight and a role that would mirror how Ohio State used Young. Hall also indicated he took that message directly from Johnson during the camp event.

On the on-field profile side, Hall is already positioned as a high ceiling athlete for the defensive line. At 16 years old, he has been described at roughly 6-foot-4 and about 271 pounds, with reports stating he could play either defensive tackle or defensive end depending on how his body develops. That kind of projected flexibility is exactly what college staffs look for, because it can simplify recruiting decisions while preserving options on the depth chart.

Hall’s background from Christian Academy (Ky.) adds context to the recruiting interest. Reporting says the program finished the 2025 varsity season undefeated at 15-0 and won the KHSAA 3A state final, with a dominant showing against Murray (Ky.). While team success does not translate automatically to college production, it does often indicate sustained competition, coaching stability, and a roster environment that challenges top recruits before they ever reach the college level.

The next recruiting storyline to watch is how Ohio State’s staff continues to build a relationship beyond a single camp appearance. For a prospect of Hall’s ranking, the key will be role clarity, development timeline, and how Ohio State’s recruiting class structure evolves in the class of 2028. Hall already has a history of visiting Ohio State, and his camp day may serve as a renewed point of emphasis for why the Buckeyes believe they can develop him into a premiere pass-rushing defender.

Because much of the camp evaluation and staff-to-prospect comparisons are based on third-party reporting, some details should be treated as preliminary until confirmed by additional primary sources such as Ohio State’s official recruiting communications. Still, the presence of Johnson at the camp and the high-profile Young comparison make the moment notable for both Hall’s recruitment and Ohio State’s long-range defensive line planning.