The University of Alabama is losing three wide receivers from its football team to the NCAA transfer portal, but Kalen DeBoer provided a positive update on Sunday about a former four-star playmaker.
Jalen Hale, a second-year wide out from Longview, Texas, had not played this season.
He suffered a significant knee injury in spring practice and it derailed an opportunity for him to have an impact. Hale was dominating in practice at the X position before the mishap happened.
The 6-foot-1, 188-pounder came in the Tide’s 2023 recruiting class and was on Nick Saban’s final Southeastern Conference Championship team. Hale has not dressed out this season; however, he has walked out the tunnel with the team for every home game on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Hale showed promised last season as a true freshman. He caught five passes for 148 yards, including a touchdown reception against Ole Miss at home. Hale averaged 29.6 yards per catch in 13 games for the Tide.
He won’t be ready for Alabama’s bowl matchup versus Michigan, but DeBoer provided good news on Hale.
“He’s been out there,” DeBoer said in Sunday’s presser on Hale’s progress.
“We were excited – it’s been about maybe a week or two ago – to see him out there running around and doing some things. Again, not any type of full contact yet at that point. But just was fun to see his body out there running around.”
Former 4-star in-state DL enters NCAA transfer portal for Crimson Tide
DeBoer mentioned it brings a smile to his face, Hale’s face, and the faces of his teammates just seeing him get out there, work through the process, and continuing to progress along.
Kendrick Law was Alabama’s starter at X this year, but Hale was in position to be the guy over Law and Kobe Prentice before the injury. DeBoer is ready to have Hale back as quick as possible.
“Man, he’s been amazing, going back to the time he even had his injury, just with his mindset,” DeBoer said. “And I know our guys really respect him for that and appreciate the grind he’s been putting in to come back as quick as he possibly can.”
A healthy Hale returning to Alabama’s wide receiver room is huge for the Tide in the spring.
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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.
