Interview: 4-Star 2023 Texas WR Jalen Hale Producing a Breakout Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
High School football fans in the Longview area got a sneak peak of coming attractions in 2019 watching Jalen Hale use his raw athletic talents to sprint past 5A Texas teams. The athletic freshman appeared in five games securing seven passes for 164 yards with three trips into the end zone. The Lobos are 5-2 on the season thus far with their rising sophomore talent leading the passing attack. Hale (6-3, 175) has taken down 26 passes for 422 yards with six scores posted drawing offers from Arkansas, Auburn, and Kansas.
In an RNG first-look, Hale visited the Lab for a one-on-one giving insight to his breakout season.
Interview
Jalen, before we talk about all of your explosive plays in the passing game, let’s talk about your blocking skills. Looks like you enjoy getting after corners on running plays.
Yes, sir. You gotta block. Receivers opening up lanes for the running back, the game depends on that. It is a team game. They block for me; I block for them.
There are traits to your game that lead me to believe you play other varsity sports. Which other sports are you playing for the Lobos?
Basketball and I will run track this year.
Which events are you planning on running in track?
I don’t know yet, the 400, 200, and probably the 100.
On the hardwood, which position(s) were you playing?
I was all around playing everywhere. I was at the 1, 2, 3; wherever they told me to go play, I would go play.
Back on the gridiron, your athleticism comes through in a hurry with your hands, speed, and jumping abilities. How fast are you?
4.61, that was the last one I ran.
What offensive attack are you guys running this season?
We run a pro-style out of the I-formation.
How are teams trying to cover you guys? What coverages are you seeing?
Cover 4, Cover 3, some Cover 2. We see Cover 4 the most.
Which routes are you going out on this year?
Comebacks, posts, hitches, screens, vertical routes and curls.
Seven games into the season, what do you feel are now the strengths to your overall game?
Running past defenders, my hands, making something happen, being a deep threat, and high pointing the ball.
The Lobos have three games left on the schedule with a road trip on Friday to Sherman (2-4). What kind of game can the fans expect this week?
We don’t play this week; it was just called off. We are off for the next two weeks.
Sorry to hear that. What does the team need to do to close out strong ahead of the playoffs?
Everyone needs to stay focused and keep their minds on the right thing. Staying focused is the most important thing. We need to finish the season right.
Let’s close going into recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Texas Tech, Baylor, and Notre Dame.
How many offers do you have?
Three.
Which program was the first to offer?
Arkansas.
When visits start taking place again in 2021, which schools might you go see?
Georgia, Texas A&M, LSU, Clemson, Notre Dame, and the teams that have offered me.
Jalen, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you and the Lobos success the rest of the way.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Longview HS/Hale family; Jalen Hale