2 former Tennessee Vols named as rookies who could create 'fireworks' in 2023
A pair of former Tennessee Vols teammates who are now teammates in the NFL were recently named as a couple of rookies who could create "fireworks" in 2023. Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and running back Eric Gray were teammates at Tennessee in 2020 before Gray transferred to Oklahoma following Jeremy Pruitt's dismissal as the Vols' […]
A pair of former Tennessee Vols teammates who are now teammates in the NFL were recently named as a couple of rookies who could create "fireworks" in 2023.
Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and running back Eric Gray were teammates at Tennessee in 2020 before Gray transferred to Oklahoma following Jeremy Pruitt's dismissal as the Vols' head coach.
Hyatt was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. New York selected Gray in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Giants.com's John Schmeelk recently identified the former Vols as the Giants rookies mostly likely to make an impact in 2023.
Schmeelk acknowledged that the fireworks from the duo might be small in 2023, but he thinks they have the best longterm outlook for creating fireworks in New York.
From Giants.com: Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and running back Eric Gray have the best chance of creating fireworks, but I expect both players to be part-time players at best to start the season. They might have a big play here or there, but it would probably be more in line with a fireworks display after a minor league baseball game rather than the Fourth of July. Long term, these are the two guys I would bet on making fireworks since they have the ball in their hands.
There's no doubt that both players were incredibly electric during their time on Rocky Top. Hyatt holds the school record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (15) and in a game (5). Gray, meanwhile, has the second longest rushing touchdown in Tennessee history (94 yards against Vanderbilt in 2019). Gray also has the fifth most rushing yards in a game by a Vols running back (246 rushing yards against Vanderbilt in 2019).
Both players could have huge opportunities with the Giants as rookies. Hyatt should benefit from the franchise wanting to create more explosive plays in 2023 while Gray could benefit from superstar running back Saquon Barkley's ongoing "holdout" as he's yet to sign his franchise tag while he continues to seek a longterm deal with the Giants.
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Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
