After wearing No. 11 during all three years of his time in Knoxville, former Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is potentially drastically changing his number in the NFL.
Hyatt was selected by the New York Giants with the 73rd overall pick in the third round on Friday night in Kansas City.
The former Tennessee receiver soon jumped on a plane and was in the Giants’ facility by Saturday afternoon.
Jalin Hyatt looks like he could be wearing No. 84 with the New York Giants. The 11-jersey is retired by New York after the illustrious career from quarterback Phil Simms. Hyatt posed for a picture at the facility with head coach Brian Daboll (right) and general manager Joe Schoen (left).
All smiles for Hyatt 😄 pic.twitter.com/Ux8jVNFzpe
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 29, 2023
That all being said, there could be a chance that Hyatt’s number does change again between now and the season. For a local example… think Nico Iamaleava over the last few months. The Tennessee freshman quarterback went through bowl practices with the Vols as No. 8 before switching to No. 12 for spring camp this past month.
According to SNYtv reporter Connor Hughes, Hyatt’s No. 84 could change down the road.
One note here: Hyatt made it pretty clear that 84 was handed to him … he didnt pick it. Think this one is going to change pretty soon lol https://t.co/ZUClqtBNGX
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) April 29, 2023
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Draft Class of ‘23 pic.twitter.com/nXIP29XLDT
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 7, 2023
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Hyatt also had the chance to meet up with his new quarterback Daniel Jones.
Jones, a four-year quarterback in the NFL, has gotten better in most aspects throughout his NFL career and recently led the Giants to the playoffs as a wild card after a 9-6-1 overall record. The Giants, however, were defeated by the Eagles in the first round by a score of 38-7, highlighting New York’s desperate need for offensive weapons in the offseason.
The Giants took two weapons in the middle of the draft with both names having Tennessee ties. The first, as mentioned, was wide receiver Jalin Hyatt in the third round.
Then, on Saturday, New York drafted Oklahoma running back Eric Gray in the fifth round. Gray spent the first two years of his career with the Tennessee football program in 2019 and 2020 and led the Vols on the ground during his final season in Knoxville. Gray was part of the mass exodus of players that left the program after Jeremy Pruitt’s firing in January 2021.
Hyatt’s first year on the Tennessee roster, 2020, was Gray’s second and final season with the Vols’ program.
Jalin Hyatt finished his career in Knoxville with 108 receptions, 1,769 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns in 35 games.
Jalin Hyatt’s in the building‼️ pic.twitter.com/pTVfL9VnHc
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 29, 2023
Ready for this duo 😏@Daniel_Jones10 | @jalinhyatt pic.twitter.com/dIsjDlsJKb
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 29, 2023
Hyatt meets Dabs & Schoen 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZdN9lzxAPb
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 29, 2023
