Former Alabama wide receiver commits to SMU

Wide receiver Jalen Hale has committed to the SMU Mustangs after entering the transfer portal on Jan. 2. Hale was a former four-star recruit and rated as a top-10 receiver in the 2023 class out of Texas.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban and the Tide originally managed to beat Texas A&M and Texas in his recruitment out of high school, but now, the receiver is headed back to the Lone Star State after seeing minimal action in Tuscaloosa.

Hale did see some action during his freshman campaign, recording five receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown in four games. Fans may remember when he made an impressive 33-yard touchdown catch over an Ole Miss receiver in the Tide’s 2023 win.

After a nice showing in 2023, a season-ending knee injury held him out for his sophomore season. Once returning from injury for the 2025 season, he saw limited action, occasionally seeing the field at receiver and on special teams.

However, after recording no stats during Alabama’s 11-4 season, Hale decided to hit the transfer portal with two years of eligibility left, since he was granted a medical redshirt for the knee injury he suffered as a sophomore.

The loss stings a bit for the Tide, as it has lost a fair amount of talent all over the field, but the wide receiver room has been left a bit scarce with many departures due to transfers and graduations.