Jalin Hyatt explains why his 40 time wasn't as fast as some expected at the NFL Draft combine
Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is expected to be an early-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The South Carolina native had a breakout season for the Vols in 2022, catching 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. Hyatt's performance against Alabama last season — six receptions for 207 yards and five touchdowns […]
Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is expected to be an early-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The South Carolina native had a breakout season for the Vols in 2022, catching 67 passes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Hyatt's performance against Alabama last season — six receptions for 207 yards and five touchdowns — lifted the talented wide receiver to college football superstardom.
One of Hyatt's biggest strengths is his speed. The former four-star recruit would routinely blow by defenders last season on his way to the end zone.
So it was a bit of a surprise when Hyatt only ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft combine in early March.
The expectation was that Hyatt would run in the 4.3 range. Some folks even thought he had a shot to run a 4.29.
Hyatt didn't finish his workouts at the combine after running the 40 due to hamstring tightness.
On Thursday, at Tennessee's Pro Day, Hyatt explained that his hamstring tightened up before his first attempt at running the 40.
“My hamstring, it got a little tight before I ran the 40-yard dash and the routes,” said Hyatt on Thursday. “I think it got tight after the vertical we did, and I felt it. But at the combine, I felt like I did pretty good. There were some times I wish I had a better time on some things. But that’s just what it is. That’s just how it is."
Hyatt didn't run the 40 at Tennessee's Pro Day on Thursday due to the positive feedback he's received from some NFL teams. But the former Vol said he felt he would run in the 4.3 range if he had to run it again.
"I felt like if I had to run, it would definitely be in the 4.3s," said Hyatt. "I felt good today. Hamstring, no issue. Felt loose. Felt very good. I was thinking about running it (the 40) to be honest. I was thinking about just going out there and running the 40, but just from the feedback I've been hearing from GMs and coaches, they're ok with my 40 so we're on to the next thing."
I watched every game Hyatt played in 2022 and he had no problems running past SEC cornerbacks. Hyatt's speed is undeniable on film. And he's crafty in the way he utilizes his speed — Hyatt doesn't just run straight as fast as he can. There's some nuance to the way he gets off the line as he uses different "gears" to beat defensive backs.
Hyatt's film and production speaks for itself. There's a reason he won the Biletnikoff Award (given annually to the nation's top pass catcher) — it's because he was the best receiver in college football this past season. And I can't imagine why an NFL team wouldn't want to select him in the first round.
