Why South Carolina fans have it all wrong about Vols WR Jalin Hyatt this week
South Carolina fans have it all wrong when it comes to Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt this week. The big storyline this week has been Hyatt's return to Columbia to play South Carolina. Hyatt is from nearby Irmo, but despite being a local product, he was never offered by South Carolina's previous coaching staff. […]
South Carolina fans have it all wrong when it comes to Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt this week.
The big storyline this week has been Hyatt's return to Columbia to play South Carolina.
Hyatt is from nearby Irmo, but despite being a local product, he was never offered by South Carolina's previous coaching staff.
“Apparently he had a few drops. But you could tell they were looking for something," (Jason) Barnes (Hyatt's high school receivers coach) told The State. “They didn’t think he was big enough to be an SEC receiver. But I tried to tell B-Mac (McClendon), you have some good receivers on your roster, but he has the highest ceiling out of all of them. He is fast, he is going to be able to run routes and his release is where they need to be and he will be ready to step in when he gets there. He just needs to get bigger. And that is what college is for, to get bigger and stronger. “He said, ‘JB, I don’t know. I think we got some guys out there that are a little bit better. We will see how the recruiting plays out, so we will see.’ I said he has got some guys beating down his door — Miami, Virginia Tech and Tennessee — so we aren’t going to wait around.”
As you can imagine, Hyatt's been asked a lot this week if playing the Gamecocks this week gives him added motivation.
Rich Eisen, in fact, asked Hyatt on national television this week about his return to South Carolina.
For some reason, South Carolina fans seem to think that Hyatt has been talking trash all week.
Anyone who has paid attention would realize that Hyatt has been pressed by the media on the South Carolina question all week. He hasn't been the one bringing it up. And when it's been brought up, he's been humble and respectful. Of course this game means a lot to him — he gets to play on a huge stage in his hometown.
And yeah, I'm sure he does have a chip on his shoulder. Not at anyone in particular, but he definitely wants to play at a high level in front of the hometown crowd.
But this idea that Hyatt is seeking revenge on a coaching staff who wasn't at South Carolina during his recruitment just isn't accurate. That's not what's been happening at all this week.
Hyatt's focus is on winning and playing at an elite level. When you have that kind of focus, big games will happen. And that's why he's been successful this season. I have no doubt that Saturday night's game will be a little more special to Hyatt than most, but I also believe he'll have the same focus for this game that he's had for every other game this season.
Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
