National media outlet predicts that key Tennessee Vols player will skip bowl game

247Sports predicted this week that a key Tennessee Vols player will sit out the team's upcoming bowl game (which bowl game UT plays in is still TBD). The national sports media outlet predicted that junior Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt will "likely" elect to skip the bowl game to get a head start on NFL […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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247Sports predicted this week that a key Tennessee Vols player will sit out the team's upcoming bowl game (which bowl game UT plays in is still TBD).

The national sports media outlet predicted that junior Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt will "likely" elect to skip the bowl game to get a head start on NFL draft prep.

From 247Sports:

Wideout Jalin Hyatt and several others have looming decisions following Saturday's game against Vanderbilt after Tennessee's season came to a crashing halt over the weekend against South Carolina. The Volunteers are no longer in the College Football Playoff conversation and one of college football's most-talented wide receivers will likely follow the lead of other playmakers and skip out on Tennessee's final game during bowl season. It would be hard to argue with his decision based on what he's put on film this fall as one of the SEC's best players.

Vols
Nov 26, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) after a first down catch during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Hyatt hasn't announced yet if he's planning to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

It won't be a surprise if he declares for the draft — in fact, I'd expect that to be the case — but no decision has officially been made so far.

When it comes to playing in a bowl game, there is one specific piece of motivation for Hyatt that could lead to him playing.

Hyatt needs just 32 yards to break Robert Meachem's school record for receiving yards (the record is 1,298 yards).

The South Carolina native can break that record with one catch easily.

I wouldn't blame Hyatt for sitting out the bowl game — after all, it's his professional future on the line — but I also wouldn't be shocked if he plays.

This team is close. And I have to imagine these players would like one more ride together before ending what's been an incredibly special season.

Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

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