The Athletic calls Tennessee Vols junior a 'budding star'
The Athletic thinks the Tennessee Vols have a "budding star" on their roster. The national sports publication listed several SEC players that they believe could be in for a big season in 2022 and they included Vols junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in that group. From The Athletic: Hyatt’s 2021 was underwhelming, but with Velus […]
The Athletic thinks the Tennessee Vols have a "budding star" on their roster.
The national sports publication listed several SEC players that they believe could be in for a big season in 2022 and they included Vols junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in that group.
Hyatt’s 2021 was underwhelming, but with Velus Jones and Javonta Payton gone, he’s the designated target to take the top off defenses opposite Cedric Tillman. Hyatt has added some weight and limited his drops and should shine in the Vols’ uptempo, attacking offense.
Hyatt, a former four-star recruit from South Carolina who signed with UT during the 2020 recruiting cycle, will have a huge opportunity to make an impact in 2022.
With wide receivers Velus Jones Jr and JaVonta Payton off to the NFL, it means that Hyatt will be one of the Vols' top options in the passing game.
Hyatt has game-changing speed (he runs around a 4.31 in the 40-yard dash) and he's added some weight to his frame. His speed makes him a threat to score every time he's on the field (especially in Josh Heupel's offense). And the added weight means we could see Hyatt excel in the open field after the catch.
The Irmo, SC native has put up modest numbers in each of his first two seasons at Tennessee. Hyatt caught 21 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns this past season.
Now that Hyatt will be on the field more often, and he's more comfortable in Heupel's offense, we should see the former four-star recruit take off in a big way in 2022.
I wouldn't be surprised if Hyatt ends up with close to 1,000 receiving yards next season. He's a big play waiting to happen and we know that Heupel's offense provides plenty of opportunities for those big plays.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/Pool via News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
