Leon Hall Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall ( born December 9 , 1984 ) is an American football defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Michigan , and earned consensus All - American honors . Hall was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft . Early years . Hall was born in Oceanside , California . He attended Vista High School where he played wide receiver and defensive back . He also played in the 2003 U . S . Army All - American Bowl . College career . Hall attended the University of Michigan , and played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 2003 to 2006 . As a freshman , he played in all 13 of his team ' s games and made three starts . He finished the year with 26 tackles and three interceptions . Hall was a first - team All - American freshman . In his sophomore season , Hall once again played all the Wolverines ' games , making nine starts . Hall totaled 48 tackles , two interceptions , and recovered two fumbles . In 2005 , Hall started all 12 games on the Michigan schedule , registering 61 tackles , two sacks , four interceptions , a forced fumble , and one recovered fumble . He was named to the All - Big Ten Conference second team . Hall started all 13 games as a senior in 2006 . He intercepted three passes including one against the Notre Dame and another against the cross - state rival Michigan State . Hall led the Big Ten in pass breakups with 18 , tying Michigan record set by Marlin Jackson in 2002 , and recorded 35 tackles . Hall was a unanimous choice for the All - Big Ten Conference first feam and contended for a number of national awards . He was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy , a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award , and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy . Hall also was first team AFCA All - America n . Hall is Michigan ' s all - time leader with 43 passes broken up . He is tied for fourth on Michigan ' s career interception list with 12 , and set a school record with an 83 - yard fumble return against Northwestern in 2005 . Professional career . 2007 NFL Draft . After posting an impressive 40 time of 4 . 38 seconds at the NFL Combine , Hall was drafted in the first round ( 18th overall ) in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals . Hall was expected to start alongside Johnathan Joseph , who was drafted by Cincinnati a year before , and veteran corner Deltha O ' Neal . Cincinnati Bengals . On July 29 , 2007 , Hall was signed by the Bengals to a five - year deal for $ 13 . 6 million overall , with $ 8 . 2 million guaranteed . During preseason practice in Georgetown , Kentucky , Hall was said to have made a big impact . During Hall ' s first preseason with the Bengals , Sports Illustrated writer Peter King said that Hall was going to be an immediate - impact rookie in the secondary after watching one of the Bengals ' practices . In the regular - season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football , Hall had a breakout performance as starting cornerback with four tackles and a fumble recovery . Hall finished the 2007 season as the Bengals ' interception leader with five , tying a team record for most interceptions in a rookie season . In the 2008 season , Hall continued to improve as he tallied 75 tackles ( 61 solo ) , 24 pass break - ups , three interceptions and a touchdown . Hall tied the franchise record by nabbing three interceptions one game in week 16 against the Cleveland Browns , returning one for a 50 - yard touchdown . At season ' s end , Hall was praised by the Bengals ' defensive back coach Kevin Coyle for his improvement . In 2009 , Hall recorded 71 tackles ( 58 solo ) , two forced fumbles , 24 pass break - ups and a career - high six interceptions . Late in the season , writer King called Hall and Joseph " the best cornerback tandem in the NFL . " After the season , " USA Today " named Hall to its annual " All - Joe " team after he wasn ' t voted to the NFL Pro Bowl despite his standout play . In 2010 , Hall started all 16 games for the third consecutive year , recording 29 tackles , 11 assists , and four interceptions . On September 2 , 2011 , Hall signed a four - year contract extension worth $ 39 million with $ 14 . 1 guaranteed . On November 13 , Hall injured his achilles tendon in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers , and the following day he was placed on injured reserve . He ended the season with , in nine games , 29 tackles and two interceptions . In 2012 , Hall returned and started and played in 14 games , totaling 23 tackles , 14 assists , two interceptions and one touchdown . He continued to be a Bengals ' starting cornerback in the 2013 season , but a second torn Achilles forced the Bengals to place him back on IR on October 29 , 2013 . Personal . On November 18 , 2012 , during WEBN ' s broadcast of the Bengals ' regular season matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs , it was revealed that Hall ' s full name is Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall .