Making the Case: Four-star WR Jalen Hale
Early in Jalen Hale’s recruitment, it looked like Oklahoma was a program that he liked very much. LSU was also up there and Texas A&M showed a significant amount of interest as well.
But as the months wore on and the four-star receiver from Longview, Texas visited places and saw the recruiting cycle wear on, three programs made the final cut for him - Alabama, Georgia and Texas.
The Bulldogs have definitely been a major contender for a long while and Texas has definitely gained ground since the commitment of five-star quarterback Arch Manning. Hale and Manning have been on visits together and have formed a connection.
Alabama could be considered a semi-surprise to make the final three but this deep into Hale’s recruitment the Crimson Tide absolutely cannot be counted out.
In today’s Making the Case, experts from around the Rivals network make an argument for a particular school and then National Recruiting Director Adam Gorney issues his verdict as to where he sees Hale ending up.
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MORE FROM GORNEY: Quicks hits on top uncommitted 2023 prospects
CLASS OF 2023 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
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ALABAMA
Alabama needs to get Hale on its campus again to have a chance in his recruitment. Hale visited Alabama during the spring and is still working on a return trip to Tuscaloosa before making a decision. Alabama has two recent commitments at the position in Malik Benson and Cole Adams and is still aiming for another. Hale has been on the Tide’s short list of targets but is likely running third behind Georgia and Texas. He has a great relationship with position coach Holmon Wiggins and is well aware of the success at his position which has kept the Crimson Tide in the race. Alabama has ground to gain but if he takes another visit it will make things interesting until his announcement. - Andrew Bone, BamaInsider.com
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GEORGIA
Georgia has made Hale a top priority at receiver in this class. He has built a strong relationship with receivers coach Bryan McClendon over the past few months. Hale took his official visit to Athens on the first weekend in June, the most star-studded weekend of the month that also featured his friend Arch Manning. Even though Manning is headed to Texas, McClendon and the Bulldogs are still in strong position with one of their top targets. - Jed May, UGASports.com
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TEXAS
Texas has surged in Hale’s recruitment since Arch Manning made his commitment to the Longhorns. Texas has always been a factor for Hale, but getting Manning in the boat has made Texas become a serious contender in his recruitment. Hale is a fan of Steve Sarkisian’s receiver-friendly offense, and WRs coach Brennan Marion has been pushing the right buttons with the East Texas standout. It doesn’t hurt Texas that other commits, such as Johntay Cook, are also in Hale’s ear about playing on the 40 Acres. The friendship Hale has with Manning and other Texas commits, paired with the opportunity to play in Sarkisian’s scheme, has Texas in a good spot for the Rivals100 pass catcher. - Cole Patterson, Orangebloods.com
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THE VERDICT
If Arch Manning picked Georgia, Hale probably would have followed. But Manning picked Texas and now the Longhorns are not only squarely in Hale’s recruitment even more seriously but they could be considered the team to beat. Playing with Manning is a huge draw for a lot of players especially pass-catchers and that’s no different with Hale. I have no doubt the Longview, Texas standout has a ton of interest in Georgia and the Bulldogs absolutely can land his commitment especially coming off a national title but my pick here is Texas. Georgia has loaded up with early 2024 commits from high four-star WR Ny Carr and TE Landen Thomas and the Bulldogs will be just fine. I see Hale following Manning to Austin. - Adam Gorney, Rivals national recruiting director