Sometimes, it just takes a little longer for the bloom to open. For Gabe Hall, a young defensive tackle in the Eagles' impressively deep room, it required about a full season. And then an offseason. And then another Training Camp and preseason and, well, here he is.

Blooming. Developing. More to go.

"Worked hard. I took coaching well. Everybody in that building wanted to help me, from the players to the coaches," said Hall on Wednesday after practice. "I listened to everything they said. They were always willing to help me, no matter what time of the day or night."

A standout player at Baylor, Hall earned All-Big 12 honors in his final season there and actually had back-to-back terrific years. He went undrafted in 2024 and the Eagles signed him and went to work on bringing out the best in Hall throughout the World Championship season with Hall on the team's practice squad.

Spending some extra time with Hall – helping him build his strength, teaching him in the classroom on film study and the intricacies of the game, using the post-practice developmental period on actual on-field technique – all of that worked to bring the 24-year-old to this point. He practiced against the offensive line every day in practice and that aided his progress.

"I learned what it takes to be a man. Going against the No. 1 offensive line in the league straight from college was a big step, but they trusted me and they were patient with me and it was a big opportunity for me to grow as a player and as a man," Hall said. "I learned so many lessons and I would not trade it for anything in the world."

There is more to go with him in the six-man defensive tackle room, but Hall's excellent spring and strong Training Camp and preseason caught the coaching staff's eye and absolutely helped Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman keep Hall on the 53-man roster.

"Gabe Hall's another credit to our developmental program," Roseman said. "This is a guy that we followed who if he probably would've came out after his junior year (at Baylor), would've been first-, second-day pick. We got him as a free agent last year and our guys went to work on him because he's got tools in his body. This is a big, long athletic defensive tackle and really spent last year on the practice squad developing those qualities."

Said the 6-foot-6, 295-pound Hall: "They're so patient with you, no matter who you are. I was an undrafted free agent and they came in here and just wanted to help and wanted me to succeed. They treated me like I was a regular guy on the team. It was such a blessing to be here ... no matter what I needed, they were always ready and willing to help me."

So, how does Hall take the next step here, which is equally as difficult? How does he break through and contribute on gamedays? That's the goal and that is the focus for Hall every day.

"I'm going to continue to work hard, take my blessings as they come, wait for my name to get called, and make the most of my opportunities, as they come," Hall said. "This is just the beginning, the first step."

It is a big one, no doubt. All of the hard work, all of the patience, and the trust and vision, it has paid off for Hall and the Eagles.