Shaun Dion Hamilton’s long road has finally brought him to the NFL. The former Alabama linebacker was selected by the Washington Redskins with the No. 197 pick overall in the sixth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday.
In Washington, Hamilton will play on the same defense as fellow 2018 Alabama draftee Da’Ron Payne as well as former teammates Jonathan Allen and Ryan Anderson.
Hamilton is the ninth former Crimson Tide player to come off the board in this year’s draft, joining Minkah Fitzpatrick (No. 11, Miami Dolphins), Payne (No. 13, Washington Redskins), Rashaan Evans (No. 22, Tennessee Titans) Calvin Ridley (No. 26, Atlanta Falcons), Ronnie Harrison (No. 93, Jacksonville Jaguars), Da’Shawn Hand (No. 114, Detroit Lions), Anthony Averett (No. 118, Baltimore Ravens) and JK Scott (No. 172, Green Bay Packers).
Hamilton suffered season-ending injuries the past two seasons, breaking his kneecap during Alabama’s game against LSU last season after tearing his ACL in the 2016 SEC Championship Game. Despite playing in just nine games last season, he tallied 40 stops, 5.5 for a loss, with 2.5 sacks. He was also voted as one of Alabama’s four permanent team captains by his teammates.
Despite being undersized at 6-foot, 228 pounds, Hamilton is a technically sound player and has plenty of football knowledge. He came to Alabama as the No. 6 inside linebacker and No. 75 player overall in the 2014 class and immediately contributed to the Crimson Tide’s kickoff unit as a freshman. That might be where he starts at the next level as well.
NFL Draft Recap for Alabama
Round 1
11. Minkah Fitzpatrick - DB - Alabama - Miami (Read more on Fitzpatrick)
13. Da'Ron Payne - DT - Alabama - Washington (Read more on Payne)
22. Rashaan Evans - LB - Alabama - Tennessee (Read more on Evans)
26. Calvin Ridley - WR - Alabama - Atlanta (Read more on Ridley)
Round 3
93. Ronnie Harrison - DB - Alabama - Jacksonville (Read more on Harrison)
Round 4
114. Da'Shawn Hand - DL - Alabama - Detriot (Read more on Hand)
118. Anthony Averett - DB - Alabama - Baltimore (Read more on Averett)
Round 5
172. JK Scott - P - Alabama - Green Bay (Read more on Scott)
Round 6
197. Shaun Dion Hamilton - LB - Alabama - Washington (Read more on Hamilton)
