ATLANTA — Barton Simmons was curious about Kyle Hamilton, but that was as far as it went when the 247Sports director of scouting arrived at the Alamodome last January for the U.S. Army All-American Combine. That event rates as the industry’s biggest cattle call, with more than 600 prospects trying to make a name for themselves. It’s hard to stand out unless you arrive with a reputation. Hamilton didn’t have one.



Still, it was hard to miss the 6-foot-3 safety. Yet barely up to 180 pounds, it was impossible to know where he would go from there. The Marist High School product was good enough to make honorable mention on the all-combine team. So did 39 other players. In terms of proving something, all Hamilton did for his recruiting rep was earn a follow-up appointment.



“He was underdeveloped, and you came away thinking he was a basketball player playing football,” Simmons said. “We made him a three-star, but you felt confident...