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Tennessee football’s top 10 impact players for 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /
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We’ve covered every preseason angle of Tennessee football ahead of their opener next Thursday against the Ball State Cardinals. Now, with no exceptions such as system, depth or schedule, it’s time to simply look at the best players on the team. Regardless of who shines, you need great players everywhere to win.

Entering Josh Heupel’s second season on the job, many of the best players are obvious given how much talent is returning. Our criteria for the best players is simple. Who is going to have the greatest impact on the Vols this year? That doesn’t mean shine with the most stats.

All this focuses on is the players who have the most value when in the game. Even if you can afford to lose them because of depth, and even if they aren’t going to be positioned to stand out nationally, they will be the top performers at their respective jobs. Let’s break that down. Here are Tennessee football’s 10 best players for 2022.

These are the Tennessee football Volunteers who will have the biggest effect on Josh Heupel’s second season.

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. Wide receiver. Junior. Jalin Hyatt. 10. Scouting Report. player. 839

6’0″ 180 pounds

This one is a projection, but it’ll be a disappointment if Jalin Hyatt isn’t one of the Vols’ best players this year. Velus Jones Jr. was one of their best players in the slot last year, and all signs this offseason have pointed to Hyatt stepping in and being able to fill that void immediately. It’s time he lives up to the hype.

In each of his two years at UT, Hyatt has caught at least 20 passes for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns. That was in a backup role. He’s deadly with the ball in his hands, and he showed as a freshman against the Alabama Crimson Tide that he can burn cornerbacks on the outside.

Now, with Jones gone, Hyatt should emerge as a star on Rocky Top. He’s the perfect fit for Josh Heupel’s system, and he should become one of Tennessee football’s biggest weapons. As a result, despite no appearance on preseason All-SEC teams or anything like that, it’s a safe projection that Hyatt will be one of the best players at the end of the year.

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