Tennessee football: Could Jalin Hyatt stay another year?
Before he went up to accept the Biletnikoff Award, it seemed like a done deal. Tennessee football wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was headed for the NFL after one of the greatest single seasons in the history of the program.
Hyatt has already broken the single season touchdowns record on Rocky Top, and he’ll likely break the receiving record next game. Given his NFL potential, it would make sense that he would leave early and cash in. Who wouldn’t?
Well, it seems like NIL is having an impact on that decision. Hyatt acknowledged he’s 50-50 after winning the award on whether or not he would return for another year. Meanwhile, Pete Nakos of On3 reported that Hyatt signed a deal with Everett Sports Marketing, which maximizes the NIL potential for college athletes.
Taking that into account, it seems like Hyatt is serious about staying another year. The only question is if the price is right. Obviously, the earning potential is going to be much bigger if you enter the draft no matter what, but it may not be as guaranteed.
Depending on where Hyatt ends up, it seems as if there may be greater earning potential for him to remain with Tennessee football, which nobody could have seen a possibility in college athletics just five years ago. UT has embraced NIL more than most.
Now, there are a few factors beyond maximizing NIL potential for one year. Maintaining a player’s draft stock is as crucial. After all, no matter how much money is on the table, the money in the pros will be greater long-term if a player is good enough to get there.
At the same time, personnel of the team is crucial. Will Hyatt be able to improve his profile with Joe Milton III throwing him the ball? He hit a pretty high level with Hendon Hooker throwing him the ball, but it’s hard to see Hooker on the level of Milton.
On the other side, Hyatt returning could provide a lot of help to Milton. With Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton gaining more experience, Tennessee football’s skill players could be even more deadly than they were this year, which could be a huge boost to Milton.
Next. Hyatt in rare company with Biletnikoff. dark
Taking all of that into account, Hyatt has a lot to gain by returning. At the same time, he has a lot to gain by leaving. As a result, this is a wait and see moment for the Vols, but it’s pretty clear Rocky Top is competing with the pros at this point for enticing elite athletes.