Naijiel Hale: Cornerback – St. John Bosco High School (Transfer-Washington) – Bellflower, CA
The Numbers: Hale is a 5-foot-10, 185-pounder most recently played at the University of Washington. The former four-star recruit played in 14 games, starting two during his true freshman season in 2014. He was dismissed from the team last August. He initially enrolled at Santa Monica Community College but never played a down. He is currently finishing his AA degree at Long Beach Community College.
At St. Bosco High, a private Catholic school and one of California’s top football programs, burst onto the national recruiting scene with a junior year of four interceptions, breaking up six more passes and piling up 48 solo tackles . As a senior, Hale notched 70 tackles, including 47 solos, three tackles for loss and a sack. He had an interception that he returned for a touchdown as his team posted a 16-0 record to finish as California Division I state champions.
Accolades: Hale is the son of the late rapper Nate Dogg. The four-star cornerback played in all 14 games and started two as a true freshman for the Huskies in 2014. Initially verbally committing to Arizona, he signed with Washington in February of 2014, choosing Chris Petersen’s Huskies over Arizona State, Utah, Boise State, Cal, Nebraska, Washington State and Arizona.
Academics: Film
Hale on Montana State: “I just hope to bring a new era, a new generation, a new type of player to Montana State. I want to bring a new dynamic to the team. It’s been a year so I’m just ready to let this dog out. I feel like Montana State and the dudes I was with are dudes that I could ride with and dudes who want to win. I feel like I can do my three years time with Montana State and get us to a national champion level in the Big Sky.”
Film: Naijiel Hale highlights
Coach Choate on Hale: “Naijiel Hale is a corner from St. John Bosco High School, native of Long Beach, California. He’s a very, very competitive young man, excellent cover skills, flips his hips well in coverage, stays on of routes. He supports the run well. He’s played at a very high level both in high school and in his freshman at the University of Washington where he started (two) games. I’ve known Naijiel for a while and am excited to have him in our program.”
Story on Hale’s commitment: Four-star CB Naijiel Hale commits to MSU
