Giants WR coach says former Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt is a 'different guy' this offseason
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is entering his second season in the NFL the same way he approached his final season at UT — with determined focus. Hyatt caught 23 passes for 373 yards as a rookie for the New York Giants last season. His numbers should've been better — there are numerous […]
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is entering his second season in the NFL the same way he approached his final season at UT — with determined focus.
Hyatt caught 23 passes for 373 yards as a rookie for the New York Giants last season. His numbers should've been better — there are numerous clips on social media of Hyatt running wide open down the field — but the Giants' offense struggled at times last season due to numerous quarterback injuries and lackluster offensive line play (things out of Hyatt's control).
The former Tennessee standout is entering the 2024 season with a year of NFL experience under his belt. And according to Giants wide receivers coach Mike Groh, Hyatt looks like a "different guy" ahead of his second season in New York.
“His growth, so far, a year removed from when he first got here is tremendous,” said Groh on Thursday when asked about Hyatt. “All of the work that he put in, investing in his game — learning what, how, and why. He’s just a different guy. He’s got stronger here in the offseason. Still has the speed that we all love about him. Confidence is a result of demonstrated performance and he was able to go out there and make plays for us and show up in games and help us win games. Has a lot of experience — a lot of in-game experience and that can only serve him well this year.”
Tennessee fans won't be surprised to hear that Hyatt is showing "tremendous growth" this offseason.
After Hyatt's sophomore season at Tennessee, which was his first season playing under Josh Heupel, the South Carolina native attacked the offseason with intensity and determination. And as a result, he won the Biletnikoff Award as a junior in 2022.
Hyatt's offseason work before his magical 2022 season at Tennessee was a big story two years ago. And there was a lot of hype/expectations surrounding Hyatt, a former four-star recruit, as he entered his junior season.
The hype led to headlines like one I wrote in early 2022 — "Why a Tennessee Vols junior WR is going to explode offensively in 2022".
Hyatt obviously exceeded expectations in 2022. And he delivered one of the best games (against Alabama, no less) that we've ever seen from a wide receiver at the collegiate level.
I wouldn't bet against Hyatt having a huge breakout season for the Giants in 2024. Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (the Giants' first round pick last month) may be getting most of the attention in New York this offseason, but it could be Hyatt that ends up being "the guy" for the Giants this fall.
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