Former Vols WR Jalin Hyatt makes an impact in his first Giants OTA action
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt grew tired of the questions about his route-running abilities during the pre-draft process. Hyatt never publicly expressed frustration with the questions. Instead, he handled each question about his route-running abilities like a seasoned veteran. Hyatt, a third-round pick by the New York Giants in last month's draft, was […]
Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt grew tired of the questions about his route-running abilities during the pre-draft process.
Hyatt never publicly expressed frustration with the questions. Instead, he handled each question about his route-running abilities like a seasoned veteran. Hyatt, a third-round pick by the New York Giants in last month's draft, was asked four times during a media session after his first rookie minicamp session about coming from Tennessee's unique up-tempo offense.
According to a NJ.com interview with Jason Barnes, Hyatt's coach in high school, the former Vols standout grew extremely tired of the questions about whether or not he can run routes in the NFL.
From NJ.com: Enough, Barnes thought. Enough of the tired, pre-NFL Draft narratives about Hyatt being just a one-dimensional, skinny receiver who can run only vertical routes, can play only in the slot, and can thrive only in a spread offense. Barnes picked up his phone and called Hyatt.
"Bro, I hope this [crap] is pissing you off as much as it's pissing me off, Barnes said.
"Yeah, it is," Hyatt responded, as Barnes recalled.
"Good," Barnes told him. "It's time for you to show the world who you are – because everybody thinks you're this guy."
Those questions, while frustrating for Hyatt, don't matter anymore. The pre-draft process is over. If Hyatt wants to make an impact for the Giants in 2023, he'll have to earn it on the field during OTAs and training camp. And that would've been the case regardless of where Hyatt played in college or where he was selected in the draft.
On Monday, Hyatt took part in his first OTA session with the Giants. And the South Carolina native instantly made an impact.
Giants.com's Dan Salomone noted on Monday that Hyatt had one of the few touchdown scores during New York's 7-on-7 drills.
From Giants.com: Rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, a third-round draft choice from Tennessee, found the end zone in 7-on-7 drills late in his first OTA. So did wide receiver David Sills V on a pass from Jones.
Roles aren't earned and jobs aren't won during OTAs. But if Hyatt wants to play a key role for the Giants in 2023, he needs to make a good impression as often as possible. So far, it sounds like he's off to a good start.
