Fresno State Athletics
Hamler Ready for Playmaker Role
8/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 16, 2010
FRESNO, Calif.- - At a school like Fresno State that has produced many great receivers who went on to star in the NFL, junior Jamel Hamler appears the next to take center stage. Following an outbreak season in 2009, Hamler recounts his best moments, inspirations, aspirations, and sets his goals high for the upcoming year.
"Last year I kind of had an outbreak season putting my name out there as far as being the play maker for the offense," said Hamler. "This season I really want to come out here and establish myself as the go-to guy along with Devon Wiley and some of the younger guys who have come out to play. One of my goals is to double my statistics from last season, double my catches, double my yards and double my touchdowns. I feel if I do that then I can help the offense out a lot and just put my name out there."
In the last game of the regular season in 2009, Hamler scored the winning touchdown against Illinois on the road giving the Bulldogs the win and momentum going into their postseason bowl game. The play that clinched the game also gave Hamler a place in the spotlight and a launching point for the 2010 season.
Hamler is the latest in a long line of outstanding receivers at Fresno State that dates back to Henry Ellard, Stephone Paige, Charlie Jones, Stephan Baker, Rodney Wright, Bernard Berrian and three players from last years's senior class, Chastin West, Ajirotutu and Marlon Moore, all in NFL training camps.
"It was six seconds left in the game and we knew that a field goal wouldn't win the game for us," said Hamler. "So (Ryan) Colburn kind of looked over at me and Seyi (Ajirotutu) and it was either going to one of us. Once he called "hike" I kind of came out for the reroute and bent inside a window in there and I saw the ball come over the defensive line's head. Once I caught it I kind of spun around to see where the safety was at because I didn't know he was right up on me or if he was still lagging a little and once I spun around I saw his body level change from high to low and I knew he was trying to tackle low, so I kicked my feet back up backwards behind me and stretched out as far as possible and got the ball to the end zone. And when receivers do something like that it is more of our creative side that comes out. Once the ball is in your hands its more creativity and what your mind comes up with. I have never made that play in practice before. That was a spur of the moment, and what we have to do to win the game."
Now, moving into his junior year, Hamler is a role model and leader for many newcomers on the team. He seeks motivation from not only his coaches, but also his fellow teammates keeping him on track and going in the right direction on and off the field.
"When Coach (Pat) Hill hired Keith Williams (receiver's coach) here it was a turning point in my life," said Hamler. "He really changed me as a person and a football player. He could relate to me and he knew how to talk to me and motivate me and get me going in the direction I needed to go as far as bringing out my talent as far as on the football field and off the football field he just showed me how to clear my head and to make the important things important and steer clear of the unimportant things and to live my life like I should. On the field it is the receivers that inspire me. Those guys look up to me like an older brother because I have been here for so long and those guys are what motivates me. When I look at those guys and I see them on the sideline I know they're all looking at me so I know I have to go out there and make plays. They are my biggest motivation."
As a receiver, Hamler's training consists of work on his agility, speed and routes, which enhances his ability to get in the air and get the ball. One of the most pressured obstacles of the receiver is the ability to see a deep ball at its highest point and to keep focus on the ball surrounded by distractions, said Hamler.
"My best tool in the game is being able to catch the ball," said Hamler. "There are other part of my game that I have concentrated on in the off season as far as speed, weight, routes and other things of that nature, but I think when it all boils down to is my ability to get in the air and get the ball where it is at is my strongest point. We play catch with the quarterbacks, deep jogs and we get our rhythm going. After tempo and special teams we get into individual with cone drills, help through, and feet work. No matter what the individual period is we hit it as hard as possible, and we transfer what we learn from one on one to the team period and when we do that were successful in practice."
And when it is a game day and the anticipation is on, Hamler likes to listen to his iPod and get & keep his heart rate up. And while most players like to play at home in the confines of Bulldog Stadium, Hamler prefers the essence of the road, playing against other teams and their fans in their houses.
"I am a chill, relaxed person," said Hamler. "I like to keep to myself and focus on football and focus on life and take advantage of everyday. I have been in the program for so long and so I am one of the older guys, but once I am on the field I am loud mouthed, running around ripping and running. I just try to get as pumped and amped as possible and that is what calms me down."
With his goals set high and bright plans for the future, Hamler continues to hammer out intense training and while keeping up his talents. He takes each game one game at a time, practicing the essence of a true receiver and a pure wide out every time he hits the field.
"Our goal is to win every game and we take it one game at a time," said Hamler. "We never look past an opponent and I think if we take it one game at a time and I think if we do that we will be successful."
"We Are Your Team!" The Dogs open their season in less than a month on September 4 against defending Big East Champion Cincinnati. Don't miss any of the Bulldog football action. Ticket packages, includes season tickets for all seven home games are available now by clicking the tickets icon at the top of the page.
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