Jalin Hyatt on Week 7 game vs Alabama: ‘We’re ready for it’
Tennessee‘s next matchup against Alabama is one of the most highly anticipated games of the college football season so far, featuring two undefeated, SEC teams ranked No. 2 and No. 6 in the country. The Vols are coming fresh off of a dominant 40-13 win over LSU, and immediately after the game, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt was already being asked about their next matchup versus the Crimson Tide.
“I felt like we did pretty good today, obviously there’s some things we always need to clean up, but we have a big test next week and we’re ready for it,” Hyatt said. “We’re ready for what we have to do and I’m confident in our guys, I’m confident in out coaches, and we just have to execute and do what we do.”
Alabama has gotten the best of Tennessee in recent history, as the Volunteers haven’t defeated the Tide since their 2006 home game prior to the arrival of head coach Nick Saban. Thankfully for the Volunteers, this weekend’s matchup will be at home, feature a visit from ESPN’s College Gameday, and features a new look Tennessee offense.
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The Volunteers currently lead the nation in offensive yards per game with 547.8 led by quarterback Hendon Hooker and featuring Hyatt as their number one receiver. Hyatt currently ranks fifth in the SEC in receiving yards with 388 and third in receiving touchdowns with five.
Being the number one receiver in the number one offense in the country is surely special, and hopefully for the Volunteers, Hyatt can continue to be special for them this weekend as they attempt to break their 15-game losing streak against Alabama.
Josh Heupel reveals how Jalin Hyatt has put himself in position to produce at a high level
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has made a splash to for the Volunteers to start off the season. Hyatt has impressed in Tennessee’s first two games of the year, already showing a huge leap of improvement compared to last season, which head coach Josh Heupel attributed to his evolved preparation and maturity.
“Huge symbol of the things that we talk about paying off, and you guys heard me talk about Theo Jackson a lot last year and how mature he was, and how he competed, and it resulted in the way that he played,” Huepel said.
Hyatt recorded 21 catches for 226 yards and two touchdowns last season and is on pace to shatter those numbers this season. In his first two games this season, Hyatt already has 13 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, which includes an 11-catch game versus No. 17 ranked Pitt and a 23-yard touchdown reception capped off with an end zone dive on the very first offensive play of the season against Ball State.
Hyatt’s play hasn’t only been great for the Vols on game day, but a great example to the team on the results of hard word and consistency according to Heupel.
“Jalin on the back third of last year and certainly this entire offseason, just a different individual in the way that he approaches every day and his process to getting himself to be ready to play during the course of the game week and all offseason” Heupel explained. “Those examples go a lot further than just me talking about something inside of the team meeting room and everybody inside of our program, talking about our players, can see the difference in that guy. And you guys, when you see him walking down the hallway can see a difference in him too.”