They don't pull the pre-approve thing with every recruit but they do pull it frequently, especially with their Junior Day recruits. Those they can't play the pre-approve games with they at-least make sure they have a good shot at before offering. They won't offer if they don't like their chances, thus a guy like Andrew Luck going offer-less. Mack has been able to make horn offers seem more prestigious/valuable with this strategy.
Thing with Hall is that he isn't a big fish, seems like the type they'd usually get a pre-commit from before offering. As EZ said they aren't known for the uncommittable offer game(lowers the hitting percentage), But since he's so psyched but didn't jump it still makes me wonder if the offer is committable Maybe junior said he'd jump but dad said to wait and think on it.
We never know. With ESPN's love affair with aTm and the fact that UT isn't the sexy school currently in Texas they may be taking a new approach. This situation is confusing though and it may hinge on Hall's father.
Lets not pretend we haven't beaten UT for Texas recruits though that have held offers. Rex Burkhead was "approved for an offer," Tommy Armstrong was as well, Aaron Green was a kid Texas really wanted but knew they had no shot at.
I still see Hall ending up at UT though.