Tennessee football 2022 preview by position: WR

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half of a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /
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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 /

Returning backups at WR

Jalin Hyatt

  • 6’0″ 180 pounds
  • Junior
  • Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork High School)

With at least 20 receptions, 200 yards and two touchdowns each of his first two seasons, Jalin Hyatt should be ready to step in at slot now that Velus Jones Jr. is gone. He is the most hyped up star for Tennessee football and was last year as well. It’s time he live up to it and make sure there’s no drop-off with Jones gone.

Jimmy Calloway

  • 6’0″ 190 pounds
  • Redshirt sophomore
  • Morrow, Ga. (Morrow High School)

Last year, Jimmy Calloway showed what he could do with the ball in his hands with his touchdown against the Pittsburgh panthers. He had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown and could compete in the slot or start as the No. 2 wideout. That versatility gives him options.

Ramel Keyton

  • 6’3″ 195 pounds
  • Senior
  • Marietta, Ga. (Marietta High School)

Both Ramel Keyton and Cedric Tillman were in line to grab that No. 1 wideout role last year, and Tillman won out. However, Keyton could take the other spot now, as he had seven catches for 72 yards. He’ll be in competition for a starting spot given his frame.

Walker Merrill

  • 6’1″ 195 pounds
  • Sophomore
  • Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood High School)

Although Keyton has the wideout size, Walker Merrill has more the profile similar to JaVonta Payton, and he caught five receptions for 52 yards last year. He could step into that role now.

Jimmy Holiday

  • 6’0″ 205 pounds
  • Junior
  • Flora, Miss. (Madison Central High School

Despite just one catch for five yards, Jimmy Holiday averaged over 25 yards a kickoff return on five returns. As a result, he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands, so watch out for him in the slot.

Grant Frerking

  • 6’5″ 224 pounds
  • Redshirt senior
  • Atlanta, Ga. (Wesleyan School)

As a walk-on for Tennessee football, Grant Frerking had two catches for eight yards.

Michael Bittner

  • 6’2″ 223 pounds
  • Redshirt junior
  • Cincinnati, Ohio (Elder High School)

A walk-on converted quarterback, Michael Bittner saw his first action last year against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

Jack Jancek

  • 6’5″ 210 pounds
  • Redshirt sophomore
  • Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic High School)

Like Bittner, Jancek is a walk-on who saw action in one game last year but recorded no stats. He came in against the Bowling Green Falcons.

Nigel Lanier

  • 6’0″ 190 pounds
  • Redshirt freshman
  • Huntsville, Ala. (North Jackson High School)

The youngest player on here, Nigel Lanier is a walk-on who has yet to see action for the Vols.