Nov 21, 2015 6 min read

An avid angler, Canonsburg native Mike Hull has had to adjust his preferred target when he goes fishing these days.

Comfortable at home on the streams of Western Pennsylvania, Hull has taken his talents to Miami, a land of palm trees, beaches and the glitz and glamour of South Beach.

Now, he finds himself deep-sea fishing when he gets the opportunity, not that they come along too often.

When you’re trying to earn your keep as an NFL player, free time, especially during the season, is at a premium.

The rookie linebacker from Penn State has barely had time to relax since the Dolphins began training camp four months ago. But he did get a nice jolt last week when the Dolphins signed him off of their practice squad, placing him on the 53-man roster.

It was a fortuitous time for it to happen. Despite not being activated until Saturday, the game was being played in Philadelphia.

His parents, Tom and Donna, wouldn’t need to scramble, finding a flight. They were able to drive to Philadelphia to see their son make his debut as an NFL player in Miami’s 20-19 win over the Eagles.

“It was really cool,” said the 24-year-old Hull. “They drove out for the game. That worked out well.”

With the Dolphins hurting at linebacker – starters Koa Misi and Jelani Jenkins were out with injuries – Miami needed all hands on deck. And that was fine with Hull.

He not only played 17 snaps on special teams, he also got into the game for 13 defensive plays, something that surprised even him.

“I didn’t expect that,” said Hull. “But I was backing up one of our other rookies, Neville Hewitt. When he needed a break, I went in for him.”

That led to his first NFL tackle. On third-and-13 in the third quarter, Hull was in the game and speedy running back Darren Sproles made a catch in front of him in the flat.

Being matched up with Sproles, one of the most dangerous players in the open field in the NFL, is not the ideal situation in which to make your first NFL tackle. But Hull got the job done, stopping Sproles for an 8-yard gain and forcing a Philadelphia punt.

“I was aware of where the sticks were and I made sure I used the sideline to my advantage,” Hull said.

It was all part of perhaps the biggest day of his life, one he had dreamed about for years.

“It was really exciting,” said Hull. “The first couple of plays, the adrenaline was really pumping. Then I kind of calmed down and played football.”

Hull is the first player from Washington and Greene counties to be on an NFL team’s 53-man roster since the 1999 season, when Ringgold graduates Scott Zolak and Anthony Peterson ended long careers.

Other players had opportunities in training camps, but injuries or circumstance saw their bid to make it in the league derailed as they never played in a regular-season game.

“I think a lot goes into it,” said Hull. “Washington County doesn’t have a lot of big schools. Canon-McMillan and Peters Township are the only Quad-A schools. And it’s really tough. It’s all about opporutnity and catching a break.”

Hull wondered if his chance would come. First, he went undrafted in the spring and signed with Miami as a free agent. Despite having a solid offseason and preseason, he was cut by theDolphins at the end of training camp with the thought that the team would re-sign him to its practice squad.

It was a tough moment for Hull.

“I was definitely disappointed because I felt I was good enough to play in this league,” Hull said. “At the same time, I was getting a chance to be on the practice squad. A lot of guys got cut that week and didn’t get that chance.”

He continued to work hard and immerse himself in the team’s playbook and game plan, never knowing when his opportunity to play would come.

“That’s the tough thing. Every day, you’re out there performing with the other guys,” Hull said. “It’s just as stressful on the practice squad as it is for the guys who play on Sunday. If you’re not prepared or not performing well, then you won’t be there the following Tuesday. They’ll find somebody else.”

Hull got a good lesson on the business side of the game earlier this season when the Dolphins, mired in a disappointing 1-3 start, fired head coach Joe Philbin, a Washington & Jefferson College graduate.

Assistant coach Dan Campbell replaced Philbin. He’s the fifth head coach Hull has played in the past five seasons after going through the turmoil of the Sandusky scandle at Penn State.

“I think right away you see the business aspect of it,” Hull said. “In training camp you see guys coming and going. I guess the coach is the same way.”

The Dolphins have won three of their five games under Campbell and host the Dallas Cowboys today with a chance to fight their way back to .500 and into the playoff race in the AFC.

There’s a good chance Hull will again get an opportunity to play. Jenkins is doubtful to play against Dallas and Misi is listed as questionable.

Even if he doesn’t get the chance to play, Hull is still relishing the moment.

“I’m just going to keep working hard,” he said.

Not that anyone who knows him would expect anything less.

Though undersized at 6-0 and 235 pounds, he was voted the Big Ten’s top linebacker a year ago. He has constantly fought to overcome the obstacles, making necessary changes along the way.

It’s almost like landing a big fish on an open sea charter.

“I’m still a Pa. guy at heart,” said Hull. “I like the changing of the seasons. I like to see the leaves change in the fall. But it’s nice here. It’s maybe a little warmer than I’m used to. But it’s nice.

“I’ve fished a couple of times. It’s not the kind of fishing I prefer, but I’m adjusting to it.”