One outlet is high on Tennessee football Volunteers freshman wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
It’s pretty obvious Tennessee football has some opening at wide receiver after the losses of Jauan Jennings, Marquez Callaway and Tyler Byrd. Well, it looks like one of the high-profile freshman is starting to get love.
Jalin Hyatt, a four-star commitment out of South Carolina in the Vols’ 2020 class, was named to the 247Sports Preseason True Freshman All-American team. He was the only player from Rocky Top to make that team.
This recognition came a week after Jeremy Pruitt touted Hyatt as an early standout newcomer, noting that he had three great early practices. Here’s what was written about him in 247Sports when this team was named.
"At Tennessee, Hyatt (197) has a chance to totally transform the Vols’ receiver room from plodders to purebreds. He’s a 10.4 burner and has been receiving rave reviews for his polish as well."
With so many receivers gone, Josh Palmer and Brandon Johnson, two veterans, are the favorites to be the starting wideouts. Meanwhile, Ramel Keyton is a rising star there, and Cedric Tillman has proven his value.
However, Hyatt is a different story. The 6’0″ 175-pound product of Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C. is more the size and speed of a slot receiver. Jim Chaney didn’t use that position a lot last year, as Byrd held onto that role.
This year, though, with Hyatt on campus and Velus Jones Jr. as a graduate transfer from the USC Trojans, Tee Martin has more guys to work with there. Hyatt’s chances at playing increased even more with the fact that Deangelo Gibbs, who could have started in the slot, has decided to sit out this season.
Another four-star receiver in the 2020 class who could play the slot is Jimmy Calloway out of Georgia. Also, Jimmy Holiday, a three-star athlete out of Mississippi, is a speedster competing at that position. Both players are 6’0″, and Holiday weighs 203 pounds while Calloway weighs 190 pounds. It looks like Hyatt is the standout guy there for now, though.
Other true freshman receivers for Tennessee football include four-star Malachi Wideman, a wideout of Florida, who stands at 6’4″ 200 pounds, and three-star athlete Dee Beckwith of Alabama, who stands at 6’5″ 220 pounds. Both guys will have more competition to see the field than Hyatt in the slot this year.