Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver capped off his college career at Penn State with an amazing game against Washington’s top defense…
DaeSean Hamilton ended his college football career at Penn State with a bang.
In the team’s bowl game against the Washington Huskies, Hamilton showed off his full arsenal of skills with five receptions for 110 yards (22.0 average) and a pair of touchdowns.
Washington was one of the best defensive teams in all of college football in 2017, ranking eighth in the country in total yards allowed, among the best in the PAC 12 in passing yards allowed, and fifth in the entire country in points allowed.
They ranked among the nation’s elite with only 10 passing touchdowns allowed all season, and Hamilton found ways to crack the code.
Playing from the slot, Hamilton showed off some skills in this game that make him a dynamic threat at the wide receiver position.
He’s got underrated after-the-catch abilities, but he’s also one of the best in the country at making tough, contested catches.
We’ve discussed at length Courtland Sutton’s Spiderman-like ability to snatch the ball at almost any angle, but Hamilton’s ability to make tough catches is different.
While Suttin is able to make crazy catches with a wide catch radius, Hamilton makes very difficult contested catches look easy.
Hamilton’s first catch in this game is a long touchdown where the ball is thrown perfectly, and he makes a couple of defenders miss on the way to the end zone.
His third catch in this game is the most impressive.
The protection holds up for Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley, and Hamilton easily beats his defender, creating separation with his elite level quickness and route running ability.
The ball thrown by McSorley is vastly underthrown, and Hamilton works his way back to make a great catch with the defender closing in.
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Hamilton has the ability to go make plays that the Broncos haven’t had out of the slot in a long time. Many slot receivers are good at working the short and intermediate areas of the field, but not deep downfield.
Hamilton does that extremely well, but he also works deep downfield like a receiver who plays on the outside would. He tracks the ball, makes great adjustments, and has the quickness and speed to be a deep ball threat.
The Broncos have a really good young player here and this game is evidence that he’s ready to face off against top-flight defensive talent.