Interview: 4-Star 2023 Texas WR Jalen Hale Picks Up Notre Dame Offer with Visits in Mind
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The promise of four-star Class of 2023 receiver Jalen Hale came through during the 2020 high school football season. Taking on 5A Texas defenses, the 6-3, 185-pound, speedster rolled for 699 yards off 39 receptions reaching the end zone 11 times. The ability to change the momentum of the game in a heartbeat has brought great recruiting attention to the Longview standout with 24 offers dropped after receiving his latest from Notre Dame on Wednesday.
For an update on his offseason workouts and recruiting, the three-sport athlete fills us in on all that he has going on this spring.
*Click the link for the Nov. 2020 RNG interview with Jalen Hale
Interview
Jalen, after we spoke around the midway point to the 2020 season, you kept lighting them up. By the time your sophomore season had ended, what did you feel were the dominate traits to your game?
High pointing the ball, getting open, and making plays in open space.
In which game did you turn in your best personal performance of the season?
The Lancaster game.
What did you do well in that one to name it as your top performance of the year?
I was high-pointing the ball and made plays for my team. I went all out.
What was your stat line against Lancaster?
I think I had four catches for 100 yards.
You are that do-everything athlete playing multiple sports. Did you get after it on the hardwood this winter?
Yes, sir.
How did the basketball season go?
It went well. As a team, we did well. We hadn’t won a playoff game in a while; this season we made it to the second round.
Do you know what you averaged?
I averaged 19 to 20 points per game, five or six rebounds, three assists, and four to five steals.
Are you running track this spring?
Yes, sir.
Which events?
The 200 and 4×2.
Have you had a meet yet?
Yes, sir. We’ve had two meets.
What is your best time in the 200 this season?
23.02.
What’s your PR goal in the 200 this spring?
I am trying to get to 22, closer to 21.
In between all the activities, what have you been working on with your skillset this winter?
I have been working on getting faster, getting out of my breaks better, and my moves off the line.
Have you been to any camps yet this offseason?
Yes, sir. I went to the Under Armour All-American Camp in Dallas.
Very cool. How did that go?
It went well. We did the 5-10-5, vertical, and routes on air.
Let’s close covering recruiting. Which programs are showing interest?
Florida, Oregon, and there are others.
How many offers are you holding now?
I have 24 offers.
Nice. Which programs were the last couple to offer?
Alabama, Notre Dame offered today, and Maryland.
How did Notre Dame offer you?
I Facetimed them. On St. Patty’s Day, I got the offer.
Hale’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Alabama-Birmingham, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Central Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kansas, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, SMU, South Carolina, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC
From the Fighting Irish – very nice. When you talk to the different college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?
How I go up and high-point the ball, my route running, and being a physical receiver.
This summer, are there any recruiting visits you may take?
Yes, sir. I want to visit Oklahoma, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas A&M.
Jalen, I had fun again going over your game on the field with an update off it. Wishing you a successful track season until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Hale family; Jalen Hale