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Tennessee football: Five Vols who suffered from no spring game

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee defensive back Desmond Williams (25) drills during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10
Tennessee defensive back Desmond Williams (25) drills during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10 /
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Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) reacts after he is called out of bounds on his run into the end zone during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) reacts after he is called out of bounds on his run into the end zone during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Pick Analysis. Junior. 4. player. Scouting Report. Wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt. 839

6’0″ 180 pounds

Heading into last year, Jalin Hyatt was expected to take a major role in Josh Heupel’s system. A speedy receiver who can play in the slot or at wideout, he had shown a lot as a freshman. That was his year to shine. However, he couldn’t get into the main rotation with JaVonta Payton emerging. The Irmo, S.C., kid still hasn’t been able to live up to his hype yet.

Hyatt has had between 200 and 300 yards receiving and two touchdowns in each of his two years with Tennessee football. He admitted during spring ball that he wasn’t in the right space mentally last year and, based on all accounts, really seemed to refocus himself this offseason. Heupel couldn’t stop touting his game.

However, we now need to see it under the lights. With a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2020, Hyatt has shown he can perform in big moments. His mentality change, though, could affect that, so the graduate of Dutch Fork High School in South Carolina’s Richland County has a lot more to prove again.

With Cedric Tillman back but Payton and Velus Jones Jr. gone, all signs point to Hyatt earning a role. There’s plenty of competition, though, and a chance to show out in a spring game would have sealed it, especially since Jimmy Calloway can be a threat in big games too.

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