Jacob Hamilton is ready to play football again after signing with the Alma Scots
After becoming the ballhawk defensive back and a go-to offensive weapon for the Reading Ranger the past few seasons, 2023 graduate Jacob Hamilton has his eyes set on becoming a member of another winning football program. Hamilton signed his national letter of intent to continue his academic and football career at the collegiate level with the Alma Scots.
Hamilton was joined by his parents, Amanda and David Hamilton, and head coach Rick Bailey for the signing. He was also joined by coaches Brad Affholter and Mitch Hubbard (Reading A.D.). Hamilton will take on a new role for the Scots when he arrives on campus for August camp later this summer. He will enter his freshman year in the safety role.
Finding a like-minded program
Hamilton, like many recruits, was inspired by his coaches and the winning football program at Reading high school when pursuing his collegiate options. Hamilton grew to love the game of football, and he would grow to love the hard work that comes with building a winning football team each offseason. That hard work and mindset in the Ranger football program was something he wanted to find at the collegiate level. Hamilton went through a busy recruiting process and visits to determine if Alma College was the right place for him.
Hamilton eventually found himself tied to the Alma football team. Hamilton was sold on the winning culture being built at Alma College. The winning mindset and love for the game reminded him of the reasons why he wanted to continue playing football in the first place. Hamilton said it was the coaches at Reading who built that mindset in him and taught him to love the game of football.
Hamilton says that passion for the game was something he found with the Alma College football team. He was directly affected by the outcomes of his junior and senior fall postseasons. With the opportunity to play for another similar football program at the collegiate level, Hamilton hopes to play another four years of winning football and end his athletic career out with a bang.
“The coaches at Reading and Alma amazing coaches,” said Hamilton. “Reading coaches gave me a sport I love, and I want to continue playing at Alma because I didn’t like the way it all ended. I want to go out with a bang, keep winning and playing football.”
The Alma football program reached new heights as a program during the 2022 season. The Scots finished the year with a 10-0 regular season record and a MIAA championship. The Scots won their first NCAA DIII playoff game in school history. They would eventually lose to Aurora in the second round of the playoffs. Hamilton hopes to be a part of that new winning tradition at Alma for the seasons ahead. "I'm hoping to help them continue that for as many years that I am there," said Hamilton.
Read More: Reading 2022 Football Season Recap
Reflections on a career
As he reflects back on his career as a Ranger, Hamilton says that he believes the Ranger coaches will continue to do the great things that helped turn him into the football player he became. He thanked his coaches and teammates for their support throughout his high school career.
“The coaches are going to keep doing their thing by making sure these guys love the sport of football,” said Hamilton. “They are always there for them outside of the school or on the field. They are all about the love of the game. I am thankful for all the teammates and coaches that I had along the way.”
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Hamilton also thanked his parents, David and Amanda Amilton, for their support and for pushing him to pursue opportunities to get better on the field and in the classroom.
“They supported me and pushed me to do things that I may not have wanted to do,” said Hamilton. “My freshman year, the summer weight room program wasn’t really the biggest thing I wanted to do but they pushed me to do it, and that pretty much made me into who I am right now.”
Hamilton's parents both said they are thankful for the help and the great coaching at Reading High School. They are excited to be able to watch Jacob's future athletic career at Alma and are happy he chose to play for the Scots.
“Our coaches are great,” said David and Amanda Hamilton. “It’s all about the student-athletes at Reading High School. We want to thank the coaches for everything they’ve done for Jacob the last four years. We are excited that he will be close to home and that he chose to play for a winning program.”
Jacob plans to pursue a business degree at Alma College and wants to become a firefighter after school.
Athletic Accomplishments
Since 2019, Jacob Hamilton has been a part of a Ranger football program that has won a state championship and made the playoffs six seasons in a row. During Jacob's junior and senior seasons, he was one of the leaders of a Ranger defense that held opponents to less than 200 points combined during the season.
During Hamilton's junior season, the Rangers went 6-4, making the postseason. Hamilton earned Michigan High School Football Coaches Assocation All-Region and All-State honors. He earned AP First Team All-State honors as a DB. He also earned first team all-conference and All-Area Dream Team honors. During the season, he had eight interceptions, 39 tackles and two punt return touchdowns. He also had a total of four touchdowns and 178 receiving yards.
During his senior season, the captain had seven interceptions and 40 tackles. He helped lead his team to an 8-3 overall record, including a postseason over Decatur. Hamilton became a major contributor on the Ranger offense, leading the team in receptions and yards. He had 23 receptions, over 500 yards and eight total touchdowns on the year.
For his efforts, he earned a second AP First Team All-State honor as a DB. He earned MHSFCA All-Region and All-State honors. He earned first team all-conference honors and All-Area Dream Team honors. His senior year, he was the dream team defense co-captain and earned first team Dream Team honors for offense as well.
During his time with the Rangers, Hamilton was a member of the boys basketball, track and wrestling teams. Hamilton was a member of all-state track relay teams for the Rangers.
During his junior season, the Ranger earned the team GRIND award. He was an all-state runner on the 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams at the D4 state finals. The 4x400 team took third place.
During his senior year, he earned all-state honors as a member of the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 team. The 4x400 team took third place. The boys team finished as the runner-up state finalists for the D4 State Finals. The 4x200 team was Area Best Champions and MITCA Team State Champions. The 4x400 team won the conference title and won the MITCA and Area Best races as well.
Alma College
Alma College is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers several postgraduate degrees. The Scots play in the NCAA DIII collegiate division. The Scots are a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Scots compete against Adrian, Albion, Olivet and other colleges in Michigan and Indiana.
Read More: Alma College Football
The Scots football program won their first MIAA title since 2004 last fall. They finished the year with an 11-1 mark, earning their first-ever postseason victory in program history. Head coach Jason Couch enters his sixth season as head of the Scots football program. This past season was the first 10 win season in program history.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Jacob Hamilton is ready to play more winning football with the Alma Scots
