Jalin Hyatt gives his thoughts, game pick for Tennessee at Ohio State in CFP

Former Tennessee All-American receiver Jalin Hyatt has a busy schedule now with the New York Giants of the National football League, but that hasn’t stopped him from keeping up with Tennessee’s 2024 season and the impending College Football Playoffs.

Recently, thanks to his partnership with the World of Hyatt, the 2022 Biletnikoff Award winner joined Locked on Vols to preview the matchup.

“Very proud of them to get there in the playoffs. It’s a good team. I really like the team that they have,” Hyatt said on the show. “Great defense and great offense as well with Nico [Iamaleava] at quarterback. It’s going to be a tough one they have with Ohio State. It’s at Ohio State, so it will be tough. But I’m still confident in the Vols and think they can get it done.”

Hyatt was named a unanimous All-American his junior (and final) year in Knoxville, ending the 2022 campaign with 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 67 receptions. It was the second-most single season receiving yards in program history, falling short of Marcus Nash’s 1997 highlight reel by 31 yards.

Though it’s all offense for the NFL wideout, Hyatt believes Tennessee’s path to victory in Columbus, Ohio on December 21 starts with Tim Banks’ group.  

“You got to start with the defense. Tennessee’s defense has been playing very well this year. That’s one thing that I’ve seen so far,” the former Vol said. “If they can play at a high level, I think it will be tough for Ohio State offensively. But with that Tennessee team, both sides of the ball will have to play at a high level to win this game. I really believe they can. It’s going to be a tough environment though playing at Ohio State, but I have faith in coach Heupel and that Tennessee team.”

For the record, Hyatt has the Vols winning 24-17 with two rushing touchdowns from Dylan Sampson. The USA Today Southeastern Conference Player of the Year was a freshman in 2022 when Hyatt was in Knoxville., but nothing from the tailback has surprised his former teammate.   

“I’m very impressed, but I saw that in practice multiple, multiple times with him. He was good when he was a freshman coming in and really what surprised me with him was how he can catch the ball. Not just in the backfield, but you can put him at different spots around the field. He is very good after the catch,” Hyatt continued. “Obviously, he is elite with the ball in his hands. He’s a great player. Just seeing the confidence in him game after game and to see where he is now compared to when he came in as a freshman, it’s been fun to watch. He’s going to have to lead that team in the playoffs.”  

Another key to the game for Hyatt will be through the air where Tennessee’s receivers need to show out. A guy that Hyatt played with who is still scoring touchdowns for Tennessee this season is Bru McCoy. For Tennessee to move on in the College Football Playoffs, Hyatt believes McCoy will need to have a day.  

“I really like the receiver room with Bru [McCoy] leading it. Bru was the leader when I was there,” Hyatt concluded. “He’s always been the vocal leader for us in that receiver room. Every time I stepped on that field and I saw Bru to my left or right, it gave me more confidence.

“I’m very confident in that room, especially with Squirrel [White], Dont’e [Thornton] and even the young guys that came in. They have been playing well and really need to step up against Ohio State. They got to get that passing game going to compete with Ohio State and I really think they can.”

Hyatt and his Giants teammates will be back at MetLife Stadium this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens before taking on the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, December 22. Needless to say, it will be a late Saturday night of watching football with Hyatt rooting on his former team.