Interview: 2018 Ohio Talent Jamel Hamm is Making Successful Transition to CB at Fork Union

Written by Emily Grigely

Twitter: @EmilyGrigely

 

Jamel Hamm Profile

Position: Cornerback

Height and Weight: 6-4, 200

Classification: 2019

Recruiting Ranking: 3-Star

 

2018 High School: Fork Union Military Academy (post-graduate)

2018 Blue Devil Record: 6-0

2017 High School: Glenville – Cleveland, Ohio

 

Offers (3): Miami-Ohio, Kent State, and Alabama State

Interests: Ohio State, Purdue, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Rutgers University, and Toledo

Potential 2018 Visits: Cincinnati, Florida International, Virginia Tech, and Virginia

 

Jamel Hamm has been working hard throughout this 2018 season both on and off the field to make heads turn seeking a scholarship at one of the big universities. Hamm was a standout at Glenville High School at receiver, corner and quarterback receiving a scholarship offer from Miami-Ohio. After graduating from Glennville, Hamm decided to enroll in a post-graduate year of high school at Fork Union Military Academy where he is looking forward to getting more scholarships offers as the season winds down. This decision has been a positive one for him with more eyes and interest as he and his team remain undefeated.

Hamm changed positions to corner this season and has had four pass breakups, an extra point conversion, and solo tackle thus far this year. While on the field he is proving that changing positions from offense to defense has been a positive outcome, he is continuously trying to better himself by working on speed and strength conditioning.

In an RNG exclusive, I was able to catch up with Hamm between his studies and practice for a fun interview about his postgraduate season.

Interview

Jamel, what are some things you are doing to better yourself in the game? 

“I am working to get stronger and better every day. I’m also eating really well and that has helped.  I am getting stronger from lifting, doing a lot of squats and bench. I am trying to become really strong on bench press. So far this year, I have been maxing out at 300 pounds. We do a lot of cones, ladders and drill every day. To end the night, I always do 200 push-ups.

“I have been working on speed and awareness of the ball. I have gotten better in reading coverages playing off-man and zone, and I am playing the press really well. I have also helped with directing guys on our team. Being that I played quarterback from my freshman to junior year, it has helped me understand and tell the guys where the ball is going.”

How do you cover within your zone?

“We run cover 3, cover 4 and the flex. When I transitioned to playing corner, I was a little lost and it took some time to get used to the different mindset.  But, because I played QB my first few years of high school it was easier for me to tell which route my opponent will be running which has helped me a lot.”

What is at least one big change or improvement from last season to this season with your game?

“I’ve gotten much faster. At Glenn High School, I played man defense. Here at Fork Union, I am playing zone in prep. I’m always working on getting stronger, faster, and gaining more knowledge about the defensive side of the ball. At first, I was a stand still player that got real physical at the line. However, now I will let the receiver run his route because I can read it. I will run that same route and I am prepared for the tackle.”

What can you say about your team? 

“The team is great! There are a ton of guys from all over the country. We are undefeated right now and just need to stay consistent. The coaches don’t let us slack, which is good. They have instilled in us about doing everything right; conditioning, training and eating.”

Take me through your week.

“Every day I wake up at 6:00 a.m. to eat breakfast. Then we then have drills followed by class. In the afternoon, I’ll rest for a bit before we go to practice and do more drills. After practice we have study hall and then I go to bed.”

What are the strengths of your team?

“The strength of the team is the defense. It’s taking the offense a little time to get in sync but we are definitely getting there.”

What is the locker room atmosphere from week to week? 

“Everyone is very supportive of each other and all of us interact really well together.”

What is the team focusing on going into this game? 

“We are focused on the offense and making sure we have fine-tuned everything on defense.”

In the classroom, what are some of your favorite classes? 

“I like Math.”

What is one talent or unique thing that you can do that most people don’t know that you have? 

“I’m a really good basketball player but I’m also a really good dancer.”

Jamel, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of the season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Hamm family; Jamel Hamm