Super Bowl: 49ers' Brock Purdy praises Jets running back Breece Hall
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, left, and Jets running back Breece Hall played together at Iowa State. Credit: Getty Images; Jim McIsaac
LAS VEGAS — Breece Hall’s former college teammate and roommate expects great things from the Jets running back and can’t wait to see what he does next.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy played with Hall at Iowa State. Purdy thought Hall had a tremendous second season for the Jets as he came back from a torn ACL. He played in every game — totaling 1,585 scrimmage yards, fourth in the NFL — and Purdy believes he will keep climbing up the running back ladder.
“Breece is one of the most talented players I’ve ever played with. I honestly mean that,” Purdy said. “He can do it all: catch, run, obviously has breakaway speed, can make some cuts on a dime. Breece is so talented. For him to come back from that ACL, man, I was so proud of him just the way he handled it.
“Honestly, I know that there’s a lot for him out there in his career. I know he’s going to ball.”
That’s high praise from Purdy, who will lead San Francisco into Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday against Kansas City. He plays with some really gifted offensive players now: Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey, who is widely considered the best running back in the NFL. Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall during an NCAA football game against Kansas State on Oct. 16, 2021, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Colin E. Braley
Hall has shown he belongs in the conversation as one of the best at his position. He led the Jets in rushing (463 yards) and touchdowns as a rookie despite playing in only seven games. This season, he ran for 994 yards and nine touchdowns. Hall’s 76 catches and 591 receiving yards led all running backs.
He was underutilized and not used properly by coordinator Nathaniel Hackett early in the season when the Jets were a mess offensively. Hall had at least 126 scrimmage yards in four of the last five games, including at least 190 in two of their final three.
Hall finished second to McCaffrey (2,023) in scrimmage yards for running backs. It’s surprising that he received only three votes for Comeback Player of the Year, an award won by former Jets quarterback Joe Flacco.
“Breece is a stud, man,” McCaffrey said. “I think he’s a guy around the league who doesn’t get enough credit. He has the speed to make any run go. Once you get him going, he’s hard to stop. Breaks tackles, gets yards after contact, has the patience [and] vision, and he can catch the ball, too.”
Nothing Hall has done surprises Purdy, who has established himself after being taken with the last pick in the 2022 draft. Hall averaged 1,759 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns in his last two seasons with Iowa State.
Purdy knew Hall would attack his rehab tirelessly and do everything to come back stronger — and he did.
“I’m just proud of him, man,” Purdy said. “I knew if he did everything right — which he did in the rehab process — he’s going to come back and show people what he’s about. I know he’s excited for next year, too. I can tell you that.
“Breece has always got that chip on his shoulder. He’s going to be pumped up for next year. He’s going to kill it.”
Purdy has been fortunate to play with two explosive, playmaking backs in college and the NFL. He said Hall and McCaffrey are different players who share some important traits.
“Both are extremely talented and have that football IQ that you want, you love and you crave in a running back,” Purdy said. “Just the way they move, they’re a little different, but they’re both great.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
