2026 PFN Player Profile: John Hull-LB/FB-Notre Dame Green Pond
Tagged under: District 11, News, pfn, Player Previews
Davin Ridall | July 29, 2026
John Hull
Notre Dame Green Pond
Class of 2027
LB/FB
Jersey #17
5’11”, 225 lbs
Other Sports: Baseball
Twitter/X: @john_hull44
Why do you play football?
I play football because I’m obsessed with competing, I love to hit people, and it’s what i am good at. I’ve played at a very young age and I have felt the same about this sport since I first picked up a ball. I also play because of my family, my entire family has a history of playing, from little league to division 1, football runs in my family.
How long have you played football?
I think I started in first or second grade.
Do you play any sports other than football?
Baseball, I have also been playing that just as long as football. I wrestled for many years until I stopped going into junior year.
What position do you play in baseball?
I play catcher.
Are there any similarities between playing football and baseball?
The team aspect of things for sure, if 9 guys are on the field and 1 guy doesn’t do their job, then everyone fails, just in football if 1 guy doesn’t do their job then all 11 look bad.
Did anyone inspire you to play the positions that you play now?
My inspiration for playing linebacker definitely came from my older brother, watching him play in high school when I was on the sidelines looking up to him, I always wanted to do that, and then when I got older I got to see deeper in my blood line and saw how many of my family played linebacker. I also grew into a crazy mindset, when I started to play LB a switch just turned on and it was to make people fear you. And I saw that with my brother and uncles, they were all feared because of how physical and violent they played, nobody wanted to mess with them, and I wanted to be the same way.
Who are your favorite sports stars and why?
Ray Lewis, because he was undersized in the NFL but was the best to ever do it, and Derek Jeter. I wore number 2 all of my baseball years until high school, his nickname is the captain and that’s what my goal was every day. When I’m with my team I want to be a captain, and I loved watching Jeter, he was another guy that everyone doubted and then he proved everyone wrong.
What does gameday look like for you?
Wake up at a good time, make sure I eat a good breakfast, chill for a bit until I leave and report to the school for report time. If it’s an away game, we get there, get our food, chill for a little, then gather all equipment, head to the statue of Mary, pray, then get to the stadium, go to the field, get loose, run around, get blood flowing, then get back to the locker room, get suited up, take some pre workout, first group walks out, listen to music, and get ready to roll. A home game works the same just we stay at school.
How do you think this year will be different for you compared to previous years?
I think it’s going to be a lot different. I believe it’s going to be more emotional, and also I am going to have to take on bigger rolls as a captain and leader. You know senior night isn’t just another game for me now. I also feel like it’s now my time, I have been playing varsity since first-year student year, but the spotlight hasn’t really been on me, It’s always been on those seniors, and now its my time to shine, my coaches are counting on me and my teammates are also counting on me, and I am super excited to take on that roll because it’s what I have dreamt about since I was this little kid putting his brothers helmet on and running into the tree, It’s going to be emotional but also a very fun year, knowing that this is the last time ill put on a crusader helmet ever again really hurts, but I will make it the best year.
After high school, what comes next for you?
I am going to continue my career playing football in college, as well as my academic career. I am currently being recruited, I don’t know where home is quite yet, but I am going to play in college. I hate thinking about it because it’s so close and I was just a freshman not long ago.
What would be your dream college to be recruited to?
I mean everyone wants to go D1, unfortunately I do not have the size but my dream college that I wish recruited me is Penn State. I grew up a fan, still am, I love that place, my uncle also played for them so that would be awesome.
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
To win a district championship, make a deep run into the state tournament, be an all-state selection, be first team in every category for all league, conference, and area teams.
Do you have a favorite play that you remember the most?
Last year, week 3 against North Schuylkill, they went for a 2 point conversion to win the game after they scored. It was 21-20 and they thought that they were just going to run the ball down our throats, and we ended up stopping them right up the middle to seal the game.
Who is the best player you have ever lined up against?
Probably Aiden Zilker from North Schuylkill, it’s not fun having 6’6″ 300 pounds come at you all game.
Obviously last season ended before you guys wanted it to, what will it take from the team this year to go all the way?
Toughness and leadership, we aren’t going to be the biggest, but if we are more physical and tougher than other teams, especially in the finals, we will be special. The seniors and captains need to lead.
What advice could you give to any of the upcoming freshman or to any of the underclassmen?
Make the most of your time, soak it all in, don’t take the time you have now for granted. It goes by in a blink of an eye, have fun doing it and learn.
What are your favorite sports teams?
The Steelers and the Yankees.
What’s one college/pro stadium that you’d love to go and see a game at?
A Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium and a game at Michigan vs Penn State.
What’s one thing you’d love to do in football that will probably never happen?
I’d say playing offensive line, I’d love to be a pulling guard serving pancakes.
Do you have any specific songs you like to listen to on gameday?
Take it by Staind, any Metallica, definitely rap that is meant to be listened to before games.
What is your favorite restaurant to go eat at and what do you get there?
Probably Buffalo Wild Wings, and just get like 30 wings, have to be honey barbecue with ranch.
What is your favorite play to run?
Definitely when I blitz through the a gap.
If you weren’t playing football what would your dream job be?
Dream job would be a college coach at the division 1 level.
What’s your go to hobby when you aren’t playing sports?
Hanging with friends, golfing, pickleball, swimming.
Do you have any comments about the upcoming season?
Be ready to hear my name all year long, I’m coming.
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