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Josh Heupel speaks in the Orange Bowl Kickoff Press Conference

On3 imageby:Eric Cain•12/08/22•

_Cainer

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(Robbins/Getty Images)

For the second time since Selection Sunday, Tennessee’s Josh Heupel and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney have spoken on the upcoming Orange Bowl, set to be played on December 30 between the Vols and Tigers.

Orange Bowl Committee CEO Eric Poms and Orange Bowl President & Chair Frank Gonzalez were also made available at Wednesday’s press conference. Members of the Tennessee and Clemson staff and administration took part in the bowl site visit this week as preparations are ongoing for the highest-ranked matchup in Orange Bowl history (outside of title games).

READ: ORANGE BOWL POTENTIAL OPT-OUTS TO WATCH FOR TENNESSEE

READ: Everything Josh Heupel said at Wednesday’s Orange Bowl press conference

READ: FIRST GLANCE OF TENNESSEE AND CLEMSON IN THE ORANGE BOWL

WATCH: JOSH HEUPEL & DABO SWINNEY ON SELECTION SUNDAY

Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt inks NIL deal with Hyatt

Jalin Hyatt burst onto the college football scene with his five-touchdown performance against Alabama.

The Tennessee receiver is still reaping the benefits. Hyatt has inked an NIL agreement with Hyatt Hotels, an endorsement contract destined to be signed ever since the third Saturday in October. As part of the agreement, sources indicated to On3, he is gifting his teammates with a generous hotel credit, similar to their stay at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

It’s an unprecedented move in the NIL space. While more and more brands have been joining marketplaces and executing deals, the hospitality business has been slow to jump into the mix. The hospitality company now has a partnership with a notable name in college sports and with one who can continue to promote up the brand’s identity.

“This Hyatt-Hyatt collaboration is more than a natural fit and it brings us all together when it really matters,” Jalin Hyatt said in a statement to On3. “The World of Hyatt team gave me the ability to create a deal that benefited my teammates and our families. That’s real, as those are the people I care about the most. Knowing my teammates’ families will all have help to be at the game, and that they are being cared for on the road is amazing.”

Kelsey Pope named to AFCA 35 under 35 list

Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope has been named to the American Football Coaches Association Leadership Institute 35 under 35 list. Pope, 30, is in his first year as wide receivers coach of the Vols, after being promoted to the position in March.

Pope replaced former Tennessee wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, who left the Vols for the same position with the New Orleans Saints.

Junior receiver Jalin Hyatt, who last week was named a finalist for the Belitnikoff Award, had a breakout season for the Vols while working under Pope. He finished the regular season leading the country in touchdowns, with his 15 setting a new Tennessee program record. He had1,267 receiving yards, only 31 yards short of matching the Tennessee record held by Robert Meachem, who had 1,298 yards in 2006.

Pope was elevated to wide receivers coach after working as an analyst on the Tennessee staff last season.

“I try to do a good job of being aware when guys, when we need to speak life into them, lift them up,” Pope said during an appearance at the Knoxville Quarterback Club. “And there are times when guys are already high and you’ve got to keep them humble. So you have to do a good job managing those things.”

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