Interview: 2018 California 5-Star WR Jalen Hall just Starting to Scratch Surface of Future Talent

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Everyone in the sports world is always looking for the next big talent to come around the corner. Well, that talent has been found and he is at Hawkins High School in Los Angeles.

While the everyday football fan may not know who Jalen Hall is yet, college coaches sure do. The joy of college coaches coming across Hall was at the detriment of opposing California high school defenses. Hall put on a show during his sophomore year pulling in 60 passes for 1,010 yards with nine touchdowns. That great season was a follow up to his 2014 campaign that ended with 1,181 yards off 52 receptions with nine scores.

When Hawkins got anywhere close to the red zone, Hall was seemingly unstoppable paired with Class of 2017 quarterback Dylan Lemle. If the play was a fade route, corner of the end zone post, or a back shoulder throw, Hall used his soft hands and 6’4”, 190 pound, frame to shield away the defender or out jump the opposition putting another six points on the board.

Hall is already considered a five-star recruit but is still a budding talent. He shows maturity beyond his years either in person or on the field having that “can-do” attitude as a difference maker and a leader on the team. He shows no fear on bubble screens or slants across the middle and fights through first contact for extra yards.

All the abilities and production has led to 31 offers for Hall before he has even finished his sophomore year of school. Some of the teams hoping to make that connection with a scholarship offer leading to a National Signing Day inked letter of intent includes USC, Notre Dame,  Auburn, Baylor, Cal, Miami, Florida, Michigan, Ole Miss, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Arizona State, Washington, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Mississippi State.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Hall covering his sophomore season, his offseason workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Jalen, you’ve put up back-to-back great seasons for Hawkins. What are some of the things you feel you do well at this point in your career as a wide receiver?

“I would say being consistent and running great routes. I catch the ball well which is something all receivers should be able to do. If you don’t have good hands you should not play receiver. I attack the ball when it is in the air. I go get it. Those are the top things. My work ethic is another. I work hard.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last season?

“I was first team All-League.”

What are you working on in the offseason to prepare for your junior year?

“I’m doing a lot of agility drills to get quicker, I run a lot of routes, and catch a lot of balls even when I am not at practice. I am consistent with my work. I do extra work and don’t take breaks.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“For the season, my goals for the team is to go to state and win state. For my personal goals, I just want to be the best I can be, go over 1,000 yards again, and have zero drops for the season.”

Will your role change this year compared to last season? Will we see you on defense?

“I played some corner last year but I will be moving to safety this year. I’m focusing more on wide receiver. I might do kick and punt returns.”

Are you excited about the possibility of doing kick and punt returns?

“I am actually. I think I’ll be good at it. I’m ready to play more on defense too. I’ll play any defensive position I need to play to help my team win.”

Have you ran a 40-yard dash this offseason?

“I did at the Nike Opening regional in LA. I ran a 4.5.”

That’s great. Let’s transition a little into recruiting. How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 31.”

Of the teams that have offered are any pushing harder than the others to try to land you early?

“I would not say that. A lot of the coaches cannot talk to me like that because I am an underclassmen. I’m taking it slow. I still have a long way to go.”

Wise. Have you gone on any unofficial visits yet?

“I’ve been to the U-of-A – Arizona, Notre Dame, Michigan and that is it. Oh, and USC and UCLA.”

That’s a lot. How was the USC visit?

“It was really cool. I go to see them practice. I like the coaches at USC. I talked to Tee Martin (offensive coordinator) and I talked to their head coach, Clay Helton, about how they do things at USC. I live down the street from USC. I always like to go there. It is always good up there. I feel like I am at home there.”

How did your visit to UCLA go for you?

“UCLA is also cool. I like Coach (Eric) Yarber (wide receivers coach). UCLA is also not far from home. I always chop it up with them. I talked to the coaches about what they do there. We talked about the wide receivers they have there and how would I fit in with the system. We talked about who will be there and who is leaving. I get closer to them every time I am there. I always have a good time talking to them.”

What about Michigan, how was that trip?

“It was great. Getting to meet Coach Jim Harbaugh, knowing he has been to the big leagues and he is getting his players ready for the NFL is great. It was cool to get out of state and experience something new. I saw how they do things there. I’d like to go down there again. Other kids talk to me about how they do things at Michigan. I had a great time there. I talked to Jim Harbaugh a lot. We had lunch together. He told me he would make me a great player. I would not mind going there if that is what it came down to.”

Are you going to any camps this summer?

“I’m not sure yet.”

Do you have any other unofficial visits coming up?

“I plan to but not sure where. I thought I was going to visit Tennessee but we called that off, but I plan on going there at some point.

Are you going to take any other SEC visits?

“Not that I know of, not yet.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.2 GPA.

What is your favorite subject in school?

“I like English, history, and math. Math is cool, I like theatre too.”

Are you participating in any other sports for Hawkins?

“I’m running track.”

Which events?

“The 4×1 and 200.”

What is your PR in the 200?

“The last time I ran it, it was 22-something. I’m not 100 percent sure about that.”

Last question, what is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love football. It gives me a chance to get my mind off other things. When I am playing football I’m not thinking about anything else. I have fun and I play better that way. If I am mad, I would not play well. Football helps get my mind off all the negative things and helps me in life.”

Jalen, thanks for your time today and good luck with all your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: rivals.com; Jalen Hall with 7×7 team B2G.

Photo credit: youth1.com; No. 1 Jalen Hall.