Former Alabama wide receiver Jalen Hale has found a new home, as SMU has reportedly plucked him from the transfer portal.
On3 reported Monday that Hale chose SMU for his next stop after three seasons in Tuscaloosa. Hale will have two remaining seasons of eligibility.
Hale was a 4-star prospect in the 2023 class, and the Texas native played in all 13 games as a freshman at Alabama in 2023 – catching five passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. But Hale sustained a significant knee injury during spring practice in 2024 that caused him to miss the entire 2024 season.
Hale returned to action for 2025 and appeared in five games, playing only 48 offensive snaps with no catches. He was among 20 players to transfer away from Alabama in the current portal cycle, which includes receivers Isaiah Horton (Texas A&M), Cole Adams (Vanderbilt), Jalen Mbakwe (Georgia Tech) and Aeryn Hampton (undecided). The Crimson Tide have yet to add a portal receiver and added only Cederian Morgan as a freshman signing thus far.
SMU has added three pass-catchers in the portal, inking receiver Yannick Smith (East Carolina) and tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom (Texas A&M). The Mustangs are seeing Jaxson Lavender, Adam Moore and Lance Beeghley transfer away heading into 2026.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
