NFL draft: Ravens trade up to get Weber's Hale

Weber State's David Hale put a cap on his all-Big Sky career when he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round.

The Fremont High product was an FCS (formerly I-AA) all-American and earned a reputation as one of the toughest offensive linemen in the country and one with a mean streak.

Leading the way for the Wildcats' resurgent offense, Hale helped running back Trevyn Smith win back-to-back Big Sky rushing titles, and quarterback Cameron Higgins was not sacked for a stretch of six straight games. WSU surrendered only 12 sacks in 11 games last year.

A rugged, 6-foot-6, 314-pound tackle, Hale was tabbed by the Ravens with the 133rd overall pick — the 34th of the round.

Considered by some draft experts to be 'old' because of two years spent on an LDS mission to the Dominican Republic, Hales' age (24) didn't scare off the Ravens who attended a handful of WSU's games over the past couple of seasons.

"David Hale is a right tackle who can play tackle and also guard. He is very, very physical who is a mean, tough, nasty guy," said Baltimore director of college scouting Eric DeCosta. "He's in the same mold as (current Ravens) Marshal Yanda and Tony Pashos. We think he projects very well inside and also at right tackle. We feel very good about David."

New Baltimore coach John Harbough will hope Hale can work his way into the Ravens lineup where he will be asked to protect 1st-round draft pick Joe Flacco — a quarterback from Delaware. He is also a potential replacement for future Hall of Famer Jonathon Ogden.

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