Tennessee football’s top five options to replace Velus Jones Jr.

As the most hyped receiver for Tennessee football the past two years, Jalin Hyatt should finally live up to those expectations.

Is there any debate about this one? Jalin Hyatt became a breakout star for Tennessee football in 2020 as a freshman when he caught a touchdown pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide and finished the year with 20 catches for 276 yards and two touchdowns.

Entering 2021, he was supposed to have his breakout year, but Cedric Tillman and JaVonta Payton emerged on the outside, and Velus Jones Jr. was a proven commodity in the slot. Hyatt was still effective, finishing with 21 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns, but he didn’t end up doing what was expected of him.

With Jones and Payton both gone, Hyatt has a real opportunity to prove himself this year, and he’s capable of playing either role. However, he’s an elite speedster, so it seems more likely that he would replace Jones in the slot, and that should turn him into a deadly weapon. Speed combined with what he’s already proven sends his potential through the roof.

During spring practice for Tennessee football, Hyatt showed he’s ready to take it to the next level, consistently getting shoutouts from Josh Heupel and the rest of the coaches. He seems like the next slot receiver destined to become a star in Heupel’s system, so he should replace Jones easily.