Simmons Scoop: Two schools are leading for 4-star WR Jalen Hale

During Alabama‘s season-opener against Utah State, there will be a highly-touted visitor inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Longview (Texas) four-star wide receiver Jalen Hale will be officially visiting the Crimson Tide ahead of his Sept. 21 commitment.

According to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, it is a two-team race for Hale between Alabama and Texas. The 6-foot-0.5, 185 pound wideout is headed to Austin next weekend to watch the Longhorns take on the Crimson Tide.

“Texas, in-state school, he’s close with numerous Texas commits,” Simmons said. “They’ve been the school trending since late spring, early summer. But this has gotten a little bit more interesting, I think, over the last month or so.”

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According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, Texas is leading for Hale’s commitment at 74.8%. Meanwhile, Alabama has the next-best odds at 20.8%.

“Alabama had Hale on campus late in July,” Simmons said,” and since that time, there’s been some buzz around the Crimson Tide. Just the way the offense intrigues him, how they get the ball to their big-time playmakers.”

Hale is the No. 54 overall prospect and No. 10 wide receiver in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 10 player in Texas.

Jalen Hale On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Jalen Hale:

“Productive receiver for one of the top high school programs in Texas. Excels at the catch point. Was the first freshman to start on varsity back in 2019 for East Texas powerhouse Longview high school since the early 2000’s. Totaled 50 catches for 1,154 yards and 14 touchdowns in his junior season. Does much of his damage out of the slot at Longview.

“Checks in at 6-foot-0.5, 185 pounds with a 32.5 inch arm. Has natural explosion and ability to go up and high point the football. A starter for the basketball team. Needs some refinement in his route running and sinking at the top of his routes, which should come with collegiate coaching. Has upside to be a difference-maker at the college level, but will need to refine his game.”

Hale has an On3 NIL Valuation of $165K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.