Jalin Hyatt discusses timeline for Orange Bowl, NFL Draft decision
Jalin Hyatt is weighing his options as Dec. 30’s Orange Bowl approaches. After that, though, he’ll face the choice of either returning for a senior season with Tennessee in 2023 or declaring for the NFL Draft.
Hyatt had an explosive season in 2022, making 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns en route to becoming the 1st Biletnikoff Award winner in program history. That’s in comparison to his 1st 2 seasons, where he had 41 catches, 502 yards, and 4 touchdowns combined.
Hyatt’s ascent has meant that his draft stock has skyrocketed in such a brief time. Of course, coming back could bring with it the decline of that stock.
“There is a lot to put into consideration,” Hyatt told Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel. “I have to talk to my family and the coaching staff. We’re still 50-50 on some things. I’ll have a decision next week for everybody.”
What are some factors that could factor into Hyatt staying? One is the potential of breaking the program’s single-season record of 1,298 receiving yards, he told Sparks.
“Those are two things I have to weigh in − the receiving record and just playing with the team or leaving (for the NFL). I’m taking it into consideration hard,” he said.