Jalin Hyatt

Jalin Hyatt's Biography

Jalin Daveon Hyatt, renowned for his exceptional talent as an American professional football player, was recognized on the global football landscape, playing for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 25, 2001, Hyatt has gone beyond spontaneous prodigious talent. He has also developed an impressive record of consistent achievements over his professional and academic journeys.

Hyatt’s path to stardom began during his college years at Tennessee. Celebrated for his meritorious talent, he emerged as a unanimous All-American in 2022, having set program records for single-game and single-season touchdown receptions. This impressive performance saw him win the venerable Fred Biletnikoff Award, which speaks volumes about his ability as a football player.

The roots of Hyatt’s sports prowess can be traced back to his early years in Irmo, South Carolina. Close to Columbia, this suburban location is where Hyatt was born, the oldest child of Jamie, a former college basketball player and semi-professional cyclist, and Enevelyn Hyatt, a former collegiate sprinter. Both parents later transitioned into the field of education as teachers, instilling in their children a thirst for knowledge parallel to their athletic pursuits. Hyatt’s younger sibling, Devin, is currently making his mark in college football as part of the Arizona Wildcats team.

Hyatt’s initial taste of competitive football began at Dutch Fork High School, located in Irmo. Here, his unprecedented performance resulted in him setting school records with total career receiving yards numbering up to 3,624 and 57 receiving touchdowns. Contributing significantly to Dutch Fork’s undeterred victories, Hyatt led his team to state championships in 2018 and 2019. In the 2019 state championship alone, he recorded an impressive output with 3 touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. His final year concluded with recognition as a finalist for South Carolina’s Mr. Football Award. Having garnered substantial acclaim, Hyatt concluded his high school journey as a four-star prospect at wide receiver, and 247Sports ranked him as the 144th player in the 2020 class.

Despite Hyatt’s remarkable performance throughout high school, initial viewpoints on his physical stature complicated his recruitment. The cause of concern was his lean frame of only 153 pounds. This apprehension passed over in-state programs, Clemson and South Carolina, which did not recruit him because of this physical limitation.

Hyatt initially committed to Virginia Tech in February 2019, but several months later, he reconsidered his options and reopened his recruitment. In July 2019, he committed to the University of Tennessee under Coach Jeremy Pruitt’s mentorship.

Hyatt’s debut college reception was recorded in a 35–12 victory over Missouri in October 2020. His first collegiate touchdown added a highlight to his burgeoning career – a 38-yard pass during a game against Alabama. Hyatt met the end of his freshman year with a tally of 20 receptions, totaling 276 yards and two touchdowns.

Going into his sophomore year, expectations for a standout performance were high. However, injuries and insufficient playing time held him back, resulting in him starting just one game. He concluded the season with 21 receptions, 226 yards, and two touchdowns.

Entering his junior season, Hyatt was considered as a potential breakout star due to his increased strength and boosted confidence. An opportunity, however, arrived when an injury took out Cedric Tillman, and Hyatt emerged as Tennessee’s top pass-catching target.

A significant highlight of Hyatt’s junior year was a faceoff with the formidable Alabama team, where he recorded a career-high 207 receiving yards and delivered a five-touchdown performance. This remarkable display of prowess led to his recognition as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Hyatt concluded the 2022 season with outstanding statistics – 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. For his stellar performance, Hyatt was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award and was named the Unanimous All-American, becoming the first Tennessee player to achieve this rank since Eric Berry in 2009.

Hyatt commenced his professional career with the New York Giants, who selected him as the 73rd pick in the 2023 NFL draft third round. He signed a 4-year contract with a total worth of 5.62 million, including a signing bonus of 1 million dollars.

Hyatt’s NFL debut was underwhelming, with no catches recorded. However, in the subsequent game against the Arizona Cardinals, he made a remarkable turnaround. With two passes covering 89 yards, including a 58-yard reception crucial for the Giants’ winning comeback, Hyatt showcased his potential.

As he progressed, Hyatt bagged the NFL’s Pepsi Offensive Rookie of the Week during Week 12 against the New England Patriots, setting his career high with 109 receiving yards. Hyatt wrapped up his rookie season with a decent 23 receptions for 373 receiving yards in 17 games, and he started seven of these games.

In summary, Jalin Daveon Hyatt’s journey from his early years to his current status as a football professional is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence, forged by passion, determination, and aptitude for the sport.