One cannot expect every wide receiver for Alabama football to play this season, but Crimson Tide fans can dream.
Information was made available in fall camp about several young names in the room, including Ryan Williams, Caleb Odom, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Cole Adams, and Rico Scott. People have high expectations for veterans such as Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice, and Germie Bernard, but the Tide has a redshirt freshman in its room that was very explosive in the 2023 signing class.
RELATED: This former 4-star WR for Alabama is “going crazy” with production as fall camp winds down
We have had a few Alabama fans ask about Jaren Hamilton’s development.
A former four-star from Gainesville, Fla., he arrived with Jalen Hale and Malik Benson (transfer). Benson transferred to Florida State University after Nick Saban announced his retirement, while Hale suffered a significant knee injury in spring practice.
Hamilton may be the lone 2023 wide receiver to take the field this season for Alabama.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder had some injuries at F.W. Buchholz High School, yet it did not stop the Tide from recruiting him. He played only five games in his senior year, but totaled 14 catches for 354 yards and six touchdowns.
Hamilton averaged 25.3 yards per reception.
He accomplished a marquee junior campaign with 30 receptions for 671 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Hamilton is highly talented, but Hamilton has the responsibility to trying to break into this rotation for playing time. He came in the second to last recruiting class of the Saban era, so he has to prove to Kalen DeBoer and this staff he belongs on the field as a playmaker.
Hamilton is electric, but Nick Sheridan — Alabama’s offensive coordinator — highlighted the lone aspect the second-year player is improving at to gain an opportunity.
“He is a very talented athlete, but we are looking for consistency,” Sheridan said. “He is a young player. His attitude has been good, but that is what I would say and it is true for a lot of young players. It is about developing consistency to do your job at a high level. He is very talented. He’s big, he’s fast, and he is working to be a consistent player.”
If Hamilton can grow in consistency, he should get into the second wave of receivers to get reps in preparation for 2025.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
