Aaron Hall, a 22‑year‑old defensive tackle who spent five seasons at Duke, earned a spot on the Carolina Panthers' initial 53‑man roster after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Hall's college career culminated in a pivotal role on Duke's interior line during the Blue Devils' historic ACC Championship run, a title that marked the program's first outright championship since 1962.
Duke's Reach Extends to the Carolinas
During the preseason, Hall logged five tackles, half a sack and four quarterback pressures across four games, demonstrating the kind of grit that helped him carve out a place on the Panthers' defensive front.
His achievement comes amid a wave of Duke alumni making noise in professional football, with several former teammates also navigating roster cuts and practice‑squad assignments.
Among those cutting their teeth nearby are forward‑thinking prospects such as Kon Knueppel, Sion James and Grayson Allen, each of whom is working to translate college success into NFL impact.
The Panthers' decision to keep Hall reflects both his on‑field production — 121 combined tackles, 22.5 for a loss, 8.0 sacks and a forced fumble over 53 college games — and the coaching staff's confidence in his ability to contribute immediately.
While other undrafted Blue Devils such as Andrel Anthony, Vincent Anthony, Sahmir Hagans, Anderson Castle, Bruno Fina and Josiah Green were waived before the deadline, Hall's perseverance paid off, securing a spot on a team that is increasingly populated by players with ties to the Research Triangle.