How ‘Amazing’ Jalen Hale is faring in Alabama football return from major injury

Jalen Hale was supposed to take the next step in 2024. After contributing to Nick Saban’s final Alabama football team the previous year, the wide receiver was primed to do even more under Kalen DeBoer, becoming a valuable piece of the Crimson Tide’s offense in his sophomore campaign.

Then, during spring practice, Hale suffered a leg injury so significant that he was whisked away to the hospital. His 2024 dreams were dashed, and a long recovery process lay ahead.

“I will return stronger than ever,” Hale vowed in a social media post thanking fans for their support shortly after he was released from the hospital.

Fast forward to 2025. Hale is back on the practice field for the Crimson Tide, albeit with a brace still on his left leg.

Hale’s mental fortitude has impressed the team, even coaches who weren’t around for his initial injury.

“Jalen’s amazing,” UA offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. “He’s one of my favorite stories. What he’s been able to come back and do already, even from spring to now. The difference physically in how he looks is just amazing.

“Honestly, he’s probably one of the greatest things that’s happened to this football team.”

Hale joins a crowded receiver room. Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard and Miami transfer Isaiah Horton are the likely starters, and all of them have the potential to be high-end SEC wideouts, or better.

However, the depth isn’t nearly as settled. Hale could find his way onto the field, competing for snaps with the likes of Cole Adams, Rico Scott and freshman Lotzier Brooks.

Kalen DeBoer acknowledged that Hale could be at a disadvantage to start out. Still, he acknowledged the potential.

“There’s reps that he hasn’t taken,” DeBoer said after the first day of camp. “Banked reps that other guys have. And so he’s still learning as we go. Every rep, he’s gonna get more and more confident. But he’s certainly got a lot of tools, and I want to see his growth. Excited about that this fall.”

At present time, the entire building has been thrilled to see Hale back in action.

“Between he and then our medical staff, just doing an awesome job of pushing forward, our whole team is proud of him, not just me,” DeBoer said. “We’ve talked about that in the winter, during December, I remember addressing it as a team. Guys being excited about him finally doing some things with the team. And then the spring was the next step, then through the summer and him out there.”

Alabama released a video of Hale making a catch during Thursday’s second camp practice. He’ll have another hurdle to clear when the Crimson Tide puts pads on next week, but is succeeding so far.

Despite the injury and the bulky brace, he’s impressing teammates with his athleticism.

“Hale has been really, really explosive,” Bernard told reporters. “But I already knew that, man. Hale has always been explosive, and just for him to come back from his injury, and be better than what he was, it’s really a blessing, and you can see how God has been working with him.”

Alabama will return to the practice field on Saturday. The Crimson Tide is scheduled to open the 2025 season on Aug. 30, with a trip to Florida State.