For all the deserved credit that inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen have gotten for the defense’s recent improvement, Hamilton’s emergence has been a major factor as well. Gone is the unsure-of-himself rookie who was prone to blown coverages and missed tackles. Over the past few weeks, Hamilton has played with speed and physicality. He’s performed exceptionally well in man-to-man coverage all season. That has continued. But now, he’s tackling better, he’s making plays close to the line of scrimmage and he’s making his presence felt as a blitzer.
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald has clearly found a role that brings out the best in the former Notre Dame standout.