Jalin Hyatt makes confident statement at NFL draft combine that shuts down critics
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to confidence
No one is ever going to accuse former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt of lacking confidence.
The South Carolina native believes in his abilities and he doesn't care what the critics think.
And there are plenty of critics. Despite Hyatt's impressive 2022 season, which included a memorable five-touchdown performance against Alabama, there are plenty of talking heads out there questioning if this past year's Biletnikoff Award winner is a legitimate first-round pick.
The feeling from those folks is that Hyatt wasn't challenged in college because of the Vols' offensive scheme.
On Friday, Hyatt had a message for those critics (and anyone else who might be doubting him).
Hyatt told reporters that he thinks he's the top wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft.
"I'm dynamic," said Hyatt. "Y'all can say, 'no he's a vertical guy, one-trick pony, he does this and that' — I do a lot more things than that. I can run routes. That comes easy to me. I can catch the ball — I have a good catch radius. I have long arms. Catch everything with my hands. [I'm] consistent."
"Not only that, you go look at the games — dive down [and] actually get into the film, I feel like I'm unstoppable," added Hyatt. "I feel like nobody can guard me. I feel like they fear me when I get out there. I definitely say I'm wide receiver one."
There isn't a better statement that Hyatt could've made on Friday.
NFL wide receivers have to be confident. They have to believe they're the best player on the field at all times. If not, the extremely talented defensive backs in the NFL will eat them alive.
And it's not like Hyatt is exaggerating — there weren't many defensive backs who could keep him in check last season. Even in the Vols' loss to Georgia, Hyatt was open downfield numerous times. The Bulldogs' pressure was just able to get to Hendon Hooker which prevented Tennessee from getting the ball to Hyatt (and in one instance, Hooker just missed the throw — a rarity in 2022 for the Vols).
Hyatt is a dynamic wide receiver who could be a major weapon for an NFL team. Anyone overlooking him because the Vols have a good offensive scheme is overthinking this — Hyatt is elite. Don't make it difficult.
