Jalin Hyatt DRAFT PROFILE – 2023 NFL DRAFT

Jalin Hyatt NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT INTRODUCTION

Jalin Hyatt, a gifted wide receiver from Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, South Carolina, was an integral part of the team’s success, leading the Silver Foxes to a near-perfect season in 2019 with a record of 14-0-1, resulting in a No. 9 national ranking.

Hyatt’s remarkable performance on the field earned him recognition as the all-time leading receiver in Dutch Fork’s history, with 3,624 receiving yards and 57 receiving touchdowns. Despite being just 153 pounds at the end of his high school career, the South Carolina native still managed to impress scouts, earning a four-star prospect rating and becoming the nation’s 33rd-ranked wide receiver in 247 composite rankings.

After completing his high school career, Hyatt originally committed to Virginia Tech, but he later changed his mind and decided to attend the University of Tennessee. As a freshman in 2020, Hyatt played in 10 games for the Volunteers, amassing 20 receptions for 276 yards, averaging 13.8 yards per reception. He scored two touchdowns and had a solid quarterback rating of 78.6 when targeted by the quarterback. 

In his sophomore year in 2021, Hyatt saw action in 13 games, making 21 catches for 226 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per catch. He scored two touchdowns and boasted an impressive QB rating when targeted of 107.0.

However, in his junior year in 2022, Hyatt truly shone. He got his weight up to 185 pounds, without sacrificing any of his speed, and became an even more explosive athlete. In a game against the formidable Alabama secondary, Hyatt’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He hauled in six receptions for 207 yards and scored an incredible five touchdowns against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Over the course of the season, Hyatt played 12 games, catching 67 passes for a remarkable 1267 yards, averaging 18.9 yards per catch. He scored an impressive 15 touchdowns and had a QB rating when targeted of 156.5.

With his exceptional skills, Hyatt became one of the most exciting players in college football. He was able to combine pro game caliber physical traits like speed, ball skills, solid route running, and lateral agility, and match them up with on the field production.

Jalin Hyatt DRAFT PROFILE

Jalin Hyatt’s remarkable performance during the 2022 college football season established him as one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the game. As a result of his outstanding performance, he was awarded the Biletnikoff Award, becoming the first player in the history of Tennessee to receive the honor.

Hyatt’s athleticism is noteworthy, and he is both nimble and explosive with easy acceleration. He possesses the speed required to win most foot races and outpace defenders. Hyatt blends his exceptional speed with precise route timing, enabling him to create leverage and outrun coverage. His ability to adjust his routes on the fly makes him an available target to his quarterback. Hyatt’s tracking ability, combined with his soft and reliable hands, maximizes his chances of making big plays down the field. When he is operating after the catch, Hyatt is elusive and explosive, making him a formidable threat. His ability to win deep routes sets him up to snap off his routes and work back down the stem.

 

Jalin Hyatt FORTY YARD DASH- 4.31 SECONDS

Jalin Hyatt NFL DRAFT PLAYER COMPARISON- Will Fuller IV

 

SCOUTING REPORT- STRENGTHS

Jalin Hyatt, a prominent college football wide receiver, is known for his exceptional speed and agility on the field. With his lightning-quick pace, he has the ability to outpace even the fastest cornerbacks and eat up their cushion in an instant. His impressive record speaks for itself, with a 10.46-second time in the 100m and 21.14-second time in the 200m. Additionally, he has recorded an electronically-timed 4.31-second 40-yard dash and a 34.5-inch vertical jump. Despite already possessing such impressive speed, it’s likely that he has gotten even faster since then.

In 2022, Hyatt demonstrated his dominance over even the best college football secondaries. It’s nearly impossible to stop him unless he is double-covered. Despite his relatively small size, his long arms enable him to play much larger than his frame. Hyatt also has an impressive catch radius and has the potential to carry even more weight, thanks to his strong frame.

Hyatt is an excellent downfield tracker of the ball and consistently runs under long throws. He’s also a force to be reckoned with as a catch-and-run threat, showcasing an impressive ability to run hard and pick up significant yardage after the catch. Hyatt’s elite initial quickness off the line of scrimmage allows him to create separation, and his strength allows him to consistently escape jams at the next level.

As a savvy, natural pass-catcher, Hyatt has reliable hands and excellent focus. He effortlessly snatches the ball out of the air, even making acrobatic catches look easy. Hyatt’s precision in route-running is another area where he excels, creating separation when used on quick outs and stop patterns in college. He also has impressive stop-start ability and lateral agility.

Despite his relatively slight frame, Hyatt is an excellent blocker. His size doesn’t impede his ability to contribute to blocking plays and make a significant impact on the field.

It’s worth noting that in 2022, Hyatt led the country in QB rating when targeted, underscoring his remarkable skills as a wide receiver. With his exceptional athleticism and innate talent, Hyatt is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in college football and has the potential to make a significant impact at the next level.

SCOUTING REPORT- WEAKNESSES

Despite his exceptional skills, there are some concerns about Hyatt’s transition from the spread offense at Tennessee to what he will face at the next level. He has had a lot of space to release into and adjust to coverage at Tennessee, so his processing and timing will be challenged in the next level.

Additionally, Hyatt’s slender build may limit his physicality or play strength at the position. However, he competes fiercely as a blocker and with the ball in his hands. At Tennessee, Hyatt has had little production that doesn’t come from the slot, and his release package has yet to be truly challenged. His route tree is average as he relied on his speed to just track down deep balls. It’s not clear how long scouts believe it will take the Tennessee junior wide receiver to adapt, so he could be a middle of the first round pick all the way to the middle of the second round.

Jalin Hyatt NFL DRAFT SUMMARY

Nonetheless, Hyatt has the makings of an impact weapon at the next level, capable of being a math-changer for his offense due to the attention his skill set demands and how it can impact spacing. Although he may not project as a high-volume No. 1 target, he should be a dynamic No. 2 that makes the No. 1 even better.

Plus Side:

• Ultra reliable hands
• World class speed on vertical routes; premier deep threat
• Excellent off line slot receiver

Negatives:

• Limited route tree
• Relied heavily on free releases
• Lack of tape; limited chances to see him create separation on a route against pressman

Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is the 32nd overall ranked prospect on our 2023 NFL draft boards. He’s the 4th ranked receiver behind Quentin Johnston, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jordan Addison.