Give Jalin Hyatt credit. He owned it.
Tennessee’s junior receiver didn’t point any fingers or place any blame when asked about last season, which was probably one he’d just as soon forget.
Hyatt played in all 13 games as a sophomore, but only started one, last season. That’s far below the expectations he and college recruiters had for the former four-star prospect from Irmo, S.C.
“Last year, it was hard on me,” Hyatt said. “I lost my confidence, didn’t really know it (the playbook) as well as this year. Wasn’t going as hard last year.”
While Hyatt didn’t reach his own expectations, the Vols far surpassed any preseason promise they had going into the 2021 season. Tennessee was one of the most surprising teams in the nation with a 7-6 season and an offense that would make Steve Spurrier grin.
However, Hyatt wasn’t a part of that. He caught just 21 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns. In the meantime, Velus Jones became a star for the Vols in a number of ways, most notably at receiver. Jones caught 62 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Wait, there’s more. Jones was the only player in the nation with over 800 receiving yards, 200 punt return yards and 600 kickoff return yards. With Jones and preseason All-SEC receiver Cedric Tillman heading up Tennessee’s wideout last season, Hyatt had to take a backseat.
“Guys stood up and took the role when I couldn’t and he (Jones) did what he had to do,” Hyatt said. “Just watching him, how he played, seeing what you can do when you play well.”
Jones played so well that he went from a mostly unknown player to a third-round selection in the NFL Draft. That’s something for Hyatt to shoot for now that he has a better understanding of what he’s expected to do in order to contribute.
“I didn’t go through much adversity in high school…You get up here, you’re in the SEC,” Hyatt said. “You’re going against big-time athletes and big-time players.
“I needed to change that, so I changed it now.”
Tillman is a known commodity for the Vols. However, Tennessee is still waiting on an NCAA ruling about the eligibility of transfer Bru McCoy. If McCoy isn’t cleared, Hyatt will make sure he’s ready this year. He doesn’t want to relive 2021.
