Jalin Hyatt goes in depth on his revamped mindset since the end of last season

Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt has gotten off to a solid start in the 2022 college football season. The junior wideout has reeled in 13 catches for 101 receiving yards and one touchdown thus far, including 11 catches for 73 receiving yards in the Vols’ 34-27 overtime victory over the Pitt Panthers. In a recent press conference, Hyatt discussed how he knew he needed to step up this season following the departure of former Vols star Velus Jones, Jr.

“I think it’s just a different focus. Different focus. Different mentality. When Velus left, I knew I had to pickup. I knew I had to pickup the slack for him because Velus is a great player, elite player. And to play in this offense, you have to be elite. You have to be elite, every time. So, that’s my mindset coming in. And I knew when Velus left right after that bowl game, I had to step my stuff up. That’s what I did and I just want to continue to do that,” Hyatt said earlier this week.

According to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2020 cycle, Hyatt was ranked as the No. 31 wide receiver in America coming out of Dutch Fork High School (Irmo, South Carolina).

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

Hyatt has a very strong belief in the Tennessee offensive attack

Hyatt also brought his confidence in the Tennessee offense to the forefront during his most recent press conference, stating his belief on where the Volunteers can stack up against the rest of college football this season.

“That’s every day,” said Hyatt. “Every time we come in the facility, every time we meet, that’s the standard. We want to be the best offense in the country, and it starts every day in practice. It starts every time we prepare for anybody that we’re playing that week. So that’s the mindset and that’s the standard every day.”

The Volunteers offense has been led by quarterback Hendon Hooker, who has delivered the ball to a combination of players which includes Jalin Hyatt, Bru McCoy and Cedric Tillman. The young receiver does not lack confidence in his position room either, speaking on his teammates place in the conference hierarchy.

“I think we’re the best receiver corps in the SEC, and to do that we’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing, keep making explosive plays,” said Hyatt. “When (Hendon Hooker) throws it up, it’s not a 50-50 ball, we have to come down with it every time just to be the best receiver corps in the SEC. I feel very comfortable with the guys we have, especially with Hook being the quarterback. We’ve just got to keep going every day.”

On3’s James Fletcher III also contributed to this article.