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Tennessee football’s top 10 returning underclassmen in 2022 spring practice

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates the touchdown of running back Jabari Small (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) celebrates the touchdown of running back Jabari Small (2) against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs on the field during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs on the field during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021.Kns Tennessee Kentucky Football /

839. Pick Analysis. Wide receiver. 6. Scouting Report. Junior. Jalin Hyatt. player

6’0″ 180 pounds

Expectations were for Jalin Hyatt to break out last year. However, Cedric Tillman became Tennessee football’s go-to wideout, Velus Jones Jr. lived up to his promise as a slot receiver, and JaVonta Payton became a big-play wideout in his one year at UT after transferring from the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Hyatt somewhat fell down the pack.

The South Carolina kid joined Rocky Top with a ton of hype in 2020 and showed promise then. Given his size, he could play in the slot, however, he has experience playing wideout, and the hype is there again this offseason. His competition includes Jimmy Calloway, Jimmy Holiday and Walker Merrill among returning receivers.

Of those, Merrill is a guy who, like Hyatt, could fill the void on the outside or the inside. However, based on the promise he showed in 2020, the graduate of Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C., which is just outside of Columbia in Richland County, is the guy who belongs on this list.

Hyatt did catch 21 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns last year, and he caught 20 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns the year before. As a result, the potential is clear, and while Tillman is the top returning receiver, Hyatt is the top returning underclassman there, and spring ball is the perfect time for him to develop more.

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