Tennessee Football: Jalin Hyatt says he will announce NFL decision next week

Jalin Hyatt has a few different routes he can take moving forward. Tennessee’s star receiver can parlay his breakout junior season into early entry in the NFL Draft. He could end his career with the Vols in the Orange Bowl on December 30, opt out of the bowl game and get a head start on draft prep or simply return for his senior season and look to build on everything he accomplished this season.

“Yeah, a lot to put into consideration,” Hyatt said Thursday night after becoming the first Tennessee wide receiver to win the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to college football’s best receiver.

“I have to talk to my family and the coaching staff. We’re still 50/50 on some things. I’ll have a decision next week for everybody. As far as (the records) those are two things that have to weigh in.”

Hyatt set a single-season Tennessee record with 15 touchdown catches this season, the most in college football. He finished the regular season just 31 yards short of the Tennessee single-season record for receiving yards, set by Robert Meachem and his 1,298 yards in 2006. 

And Hyatt is just six touchdowns short of the most career touchdowns for a Tennessee receiver. He’s sitting on 19, tied for fourth place with Peerless Price, trailing Marcus Nash (20), Cedrick Wilson (24) and Joey Kent (25), the record holder.

Chasing more receiving records a factor in Jalin Hyatt’s decision

“The receiving records and just playing with the team, or leaving,” Hyatt said of the factors going into his decision. “I’m taking into consideration hard with my family and coaches, but we’ll have a decision next week.”

No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) plays No. 7 Clemson (11-2) in the Orange Bowl on December 30 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff on ESPN.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. currently has Hyatt as the sixth best receiver among NFL eligible prospects, behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), Quentin Johnson (TCU), Jordan Addison (USC), Zay Flowers (Boston College) and Josh Downs (North Carolina).

CBS Sports in November had Hyatt mocked as a first-round pick.

“Hyatt wasn’t in the first-round conversation heading into the season,” Ryan Wilson wrote for CBS Sports, “but he’s a great example of a player taking advantage of his opportunities, thanks in large part to Hendon Hooker’s Heisman Trophy campaign. 

“Hyatt is a bona fide deep threat who consistently stacks defensive backs who have been helpless to do much about it all season.”

Hyatt’s 1,267 yards came on just 67 receptions, giving him an average of 18.9 yards per catch.

As the biggest deep threat the country, Hyatt finished No. 1 in the country in plays of 30 or more yards (15), 40 or more yards (11), 50 or more yards (7) and 60 or more yards (5).

Hyatt became a national name in October when he caught six passes for 207 yards and a program-record five touchdowns in Tennessee’s 52-49 win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium.

No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson, Orange Bowl, Dec. 30, ESPN

NIL money came flooding in after the performance. That’s another aspect Hyatt has to consider while moving forward with his decision-making process. 

“I’m having discussions with our NIL partners up here, with Spyre and Volunteer Club,” Hyatt said. “We’re (looking at) options, just as far as what we can do next year. It’s a long process. I want to make sure I take my time just to make the right step for me and for my future and for my family’s future as well.”

Hyatt recently inked an NIL deal with Hyatt Hotels, gifting hotel accommodations at the Orange Bowl to the families of his Tennessee teammates.

Whether or not Hyatt will be there himself is still to be determined. He has a lot of questions to answer first.

“Do you think, as far as scouting wise, do you feel like you’re ready for the league?” Hyatt said on Thursday. “ You need to come back? What is NIL pushing? As far as leaving, what round (in the NFL Draft)? What evaluation? What do the scouts think about you. I’ve been patiently doing it with my family and coaches. 

“I just want to credit Coach (Heupel) for helping me through the process, helping me make the right decision for me and my future.”