Alabama Football: Don’t sleep on class of 2023 receiver group
Amidst the coaching changes and other alterations in the Alabama Football program this offseason, Tide fans are excited to see Bama’s new look offense in 2024. Under Coach Kalen DeBoer, who orchestrated one of the best offenses in the country at Washington last year, Alabama should put up a lot of points.
Coach DeBoer generated multiple future NFL wide receivers in his time at Washington, along with new Alabama receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard. As a result, the position group has been the subject of a lot of attention and speculation regarding its potential.
Among the hottest names are junior returnees Kendrick Law and Kobe Prentice, as well as enticing newcomers Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams. All four of these players are incredibly talented, and could very well be the Tide’s top four receivers in 2024. However, they are far from the only talented players in the room.
Bama added a trio of 4-star receivers in the class of 2023 who now appear to be flying under the radar. Sophomore Jalen Hale is back after showing flashes of future stardom as a true freshman. He made just five receptions the entire year, but they went for 148 yards and several big plays. Hale made two receptions of 30+ yards in Alabama’s win over Ole Miss, including his first career touchdown grab. He later made a 51-yard catch against Kentucky.
Although he’s just 6’1”, Jalen Hale has a long frame and basketball-like instincts that make him a legitimate jump-ball threat. He excels at high-pointing the ball in the air and adds a unique skill set to the Alabama receiver room. He will look to increase his role in a crowded receiver room in 2024.
The other two class of 2023 receiver additions did not see the field much in year one, but are quality players with a year of experience under their belts.
Redshirt freshmen Cole Adams and Jaren Hamilton should not be overlooked as potential sleeper prospects at the receiver position heading into spring ball. Adams made two catches last season and looks like a promising option in the slot, while Hamilton is a speedster who had a knack for generating explosive plays in high school.
It’s refreshing to see this trio return to the Capstone for year two, and the shiny new toys in the Bama receiver room will have to outwork the incumbents to earn their snaps.