It's easy to forget it, but defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton was a key contributor for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. Unfortunately, injuries and ineffectiveness made him take the back seat the past two seasons. Fast forward to 2025, and "Ham" is doing his best to remind everyone how dominant he can be.
Hamilton has gotten a couple of shoutouts in training camp. One from star pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen, and another one from head coach Liam Coen. Here's what the former had to say about him.
"He's the best defensive nose tackle, whatever you want to identify him in the NFL right now, and he's showing it, improving it every single day," Hines-Allen said when discussing Hamilton (2:55 mark). "And when you can have that, you have that confidence that they're not going to run the ball right here. Not everybody else has to pick their level up. You know what I mean? So again, DaVon Hamilton is the best nose in the game, and he's going to prove it, and I can't wait to be out there to support him after every play he makes."
For his part, Coen told the local media that he's been pleased with Hamilton, pointing out that he couldn't ask for more.
"I think DHam, when he plays rooted and keeps his cleats in the ground and comes out with a flat back. He can get that knock back and push. He's difficult at times, as you guys know, to move inside. But DHam is a pro; he does everything right? You watch him in the walkthroughs, in all those settings when they're working on their stunts and games and pressures, he's very locked in. He's very serious about his craft. And he's going to have to play really well for us inside, as we all know," Coen said.
Below's Coen full exchange with the press corps. His comments about the veteran defensive tackle start at the 9:11 mark.
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DaVon Hamilton is in a position to bounce back for the Jaguars
A third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, DaVon Hamilton earned a starting job at the midpoint of his rookie campaign. He continued to make strides the following two seasons and was rewarded with a long-term deal in 2023. Unfortunately, the former Ohio State Buckeye suffered a non-football back injury that year that forced him to miss significant time. And once he was back, he wasn't at full strength.
Hamilton was expected to bounce back last year, but the defense as a whole struggled. Like every other returning Jaguars defender, he's gotten a clean slate under Anthony Campanile. The coaching change should most definitely help him get back on track.
With Maason Smith and Arik Armstead missing time in training camp, Hamilton has gotten plenty of work. It looks like he's making the most out of it. Similarly, he's proven he can be thrust into action if called upon.
You won't often hear about DaVon Hamilton because his production doesn't pop off the statsheet, but he hasn't gone unnoticed and could turn out to once again be a mainstay on the Jacksonville defensive line. Liam Coen's comments are proof of it.