All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football 2022 preview by position: WR

By Caleb Calhoun

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope during Tennessee football spring practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.Kns Ut Spring Fball 10 /

Biggest questions

1. How explosive of a player can Jalin Hyatt become?

Josh Heupel touted Jalin Hyatt in the spring and at SEC Media Days, so it’s pretty clear he’s locked in as Tennessee football’s starter in the slot. Everybody was high on him last year, but he’s finally seeming to live up to that hype. Given his speed, that puts his potential through the roof, so just how great can he be to complement Cedric Tillman.

Related Story. Tennessee football 2022 preview by position: Vols tight ends. light

2. Who takes over the No. 2 wideout role?

Again, while the slot receiver spot is also open, Hyatt seems to have locked that up. However, this spot to replace JaVonta Payton could go any which way, from Walker Merrill to Ramel Keyton to Bru McCoy to Jimmy Calloway to one of the freshmen. A question to build off of this is if McCoy will be eligible, as that’s still in question right now.

3. What will change about the position with Kelsey Pope taking over?

Kodi Burns left for the NFL, so the Vols promoted Kelsey Pope from an off-field role to coach receivers. Pope developed Tillman directly, and his expertise is with wideouts. Does that mean the Vols will use more size this year? They have the personnel to do it.

Final take

Despite the losses, Tennessee football will be fine at receiver. Cedric Tillman is still there. Even if Velus Jones Jr. is an NFL talent, all signs point to Hyatt being a generational talent, and that should lock up the slot part easily. There are plenty of guys to provide depth there too.

dark. Next. 10 records Vols will break in 2022

As a result, the only question is at No. 2 wideout, and honestly, the Vols have too many options to not find somebody there. Any of the guys we named in the second question could be capable of occupying that role, and with Hendon Hooker and Josh Heupel, there will be no drop-off.

Home/Vols Football