Jaren Hamilton has seen his recruiting stock rise just as fast as he gets a step on defenders off his release at the line of scrimmage.
Hamilton now garners a four-star rating from multiple recruiting sites, and he has a top seven, which includes Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Tennessee, USC and West Virginia. His senior season has been filled with big plays down the field during his first year playing at Buchholz High School. Hamilton’s combination of athleticism and size has some of the best programs after him, but his speed is what has garnered the nickname, “Turbo”
Jaren’s father Aundrae Hamilton saw his youngest son’s swiftness at a young age.
“I ran track in college,” Aundrae told Touchdown Alabama. “I tried all my kids off in track. I was like somebody has to be fast in the family. Jaren was running around the house, and I said wait a minute, we may have something.”
Jaren’s track career began when he was eight, and he quickly became a young phenom. He won three gold medals at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics Track and Field National Championship Meet by the age of nine. He placed first in the 100-meter dash two years back-to-back competing in the 8-year-old division and the 9-year-old division. He also won the 200 meter-dash when he was nine.
Hamilton’s track speed has translated over to the gridiron, and his offer list reflects it. However, it was still surprising when Alabama came calling.
“They are the best of the best,” said Hamilton. “When Jaren first came home and told me coach (Joe) Cox was following him, I told him that was big. He grew up a Gator fan. On Saturdays, we would be in front of the T.V. I always told him he could potentially get a track scholarship and walk on to the football team. Once he started playing football and getting these offers and Alabama got in the mix, I told him I am not taking him to any camps, but if Alabama wants you to come there, you are going. I am taking you. I told him I know you are a Gator fan, but it would be a business decision. They put receivers in the league, their receivers do well. It was no brainier to take him up there and let them see him in person.”
Alabama hosted Hamiton for camp in June, and Nick Saban offered him the same day. The Gainesville, Florida product has become one of Alabama’s top wide receiver targets after visiting multiple times over the last few months. He will return to Tuscaloosa next week for an official visit when the Tide take on Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Jaren has previously stated a commitment decision could come from him after he wraps up his official visits.
Aundrae said he feels Alabama will take care of Jaren if he chooses to go to Tuscaloosa in the future.
“I know if Jaren decides to go there, I feel like they will take care of him,” Hamilton said. “I want my son to be somewhere if I needed to get to him I can. I want to know that the people he is there with are going to take care of him. You can not think of a better place. I would love it if he was to go there.”
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
