Jalin Hyatt Bio
Jalin Daveon Hyatt (born September 25, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 184 pounds, Hyatt entered the league after a record-setting junior season at the University of Tennessee. He was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft and signed a four-year rookie contract worth $5.62 million.
Hyatt first gained national attention in 2022 when he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver and was named a unanimous All-American. He set Tennessee program records for single-season and single-game receiving touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive pass catchers in school history before transitioning to the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Jalin Daveon Hyatt was born on September 25, 2001, in Irmo, South Carolina, a suburb located near Columbia. He is the oldest son of Jamie and Enevelyn Hyatt. Jamie Hyatt was a former college basketball player and semi-professional cyclist, while Enevelyn Hyatt competed as a collegiate sprinter. Both parents later worked as school teachers, creating a family environment centered on athletics and education.
Hyatt’s younger brother, Devin, also plays football, suiting up for the Arizona Wildcats at the University of Arizona. The brothers’ shared commitment to the sport reflects the athletic background passed down from their parents, who had experience in basketball, cycling, and track and field.
Hyatt attended Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, where he developed into one of the top receiver prospects in the country. During his high school career, he set school records with 3,624 career receiving yards and 57 receiving touchdowns. He helped Dutch Fork post undefeated seasons and capture state championships in 2018 and 2019. In the 2019 state championship game, Hyatt caught three touchdowns, including the overtime game winner, and he later finished as a finalist for South Carolina’s Mr. Football Award. Rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports, Hyatt was ranked the 144th overall player in the 2020 recruiting class.
Path to American Football
Despite his high school production, Hyatt received limited interest from in-state programs. Clemson and South Carolina both passed on Hyatt due to concerns about his small frame, as he weighed only 153 pounds at the time. South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp famously told him, “Man, you’re fast, but you need to eat more peanut butter.” Hyatt initially committed to Virginia Tech in February 2019 before reopening his recruitment three months later.
On July 27, 2019, Hyatt committed to the University of Tennessee to play under head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Tennessee coaches praised his polish and versatility, noting that he could line up at all three wide receiver positions. Hyatt enrolled at Tennessee and immediately began working to add strength to his frame, a process that would eventually transform him into a dominant collegiate receiver.
Jalin Hyatt Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Hyatt made an early impression as a freshman at Tennessee in 2020. He recorded his first college reception on October 3, 2020, in a victory over Missouri, and caught his first collegiate touchdown later that month, a 38-yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano against Alabama. He finished his freshman year with 20 receptions for 276 yards and two touchdowns, providing a glimpse of his future potential.
Entering his sophomore season, Hyatt was expected to emerge as a key contributor for the Volunteers. However, injuries and inconsistent playing time limited his impact, and he finished 2021 with 21 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns. The struggles of his second year only sharpened his determination heading into a critical junior campaign.
Tennessee Volunteers Breakthrough (2022)
Hyatt’s junior season in 2022 marked the defining stretch of his college career. In Tennessee’s second game of the year, he recorded a career-high 11 receptions in an overtime win at Pittsburgh, then followed it with a 166-yard performance against Akron. After an injury to Cedric Tillman, Hyatt emerged as Tennessee’s top receiving target and the centerpiece of the Volunteers’ passing attack.
On October 15, 2022, Hyatt delivered a historic performance against rival Alabama, catching a school-record five touchdowns while racking up 207 receiving yards in a 52–49 upset victory, Tennessee’s first win over Alabama since 2006. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the effort. Hyatt continued to produce at a record pace, breaking Tennessee’s single-season touchdown reception record with his 14th score against Kentucky. He closed the regular season with a strong showing against Vanderbilt and finished 2022 with 67 receptions for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns, the second-most receiving yards in school history.
At the conclusion of the season, Hyatt was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award, becoming the first Tennessee player ever to win the honor. He was also named a unanimous All-American, the Volunteers’ first unanimous selection since Eric Berry in 2009, and earned first-team All-SEC recognition. His 2022 campaign established him as one of the elite receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
New York Giants Era (2023–Present)
The New York Giants selected Hyatt in the third round as the 73rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 15, 2023, agreeing to a four-year deal worth $5.62 million, including a $1 million signing bonus. Hyatt was held without a catch in his NFL debut but responded the following week with two receptions for 89 yards against the Arizona Cardinals, including a 58-yard grab that quarterback Daniel Jones called “key” to a 31–28 comeback victory.
During a Week 12 matchup with the New England Patriots, Hyatt was named the NFL’s Pepsi offensive rookie of the week after posting his first career 100-yard receiving game, finishing with 109 yards in a 10–7 win. He ended his rookie season with 23 receptions for 373 receiving yards across 17 games and seven starts. In 2024, Hyatt appeared in 16 games and recorded eight receptions for 62 yards as he worked to expand his role within the Giants’ offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hyatt is known for his elite speed and ability to stretch the field vertically. He excels as a deep-ball threat, using his acceleration and route-running precision to create separation down the sideline. His background as a multisport athlete, influenced by parents with experience in basketball, cycling, and sprinting, contributes to his body control, balance, and competitive toughness.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hyatt’s five-touchdown performance against Alabama in 2022 stands as the signature moment of his career to date, a school record that earned him national recognition. He became the first Tennessee player to win the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the program’s first unanimous All-American since 2009. His 58-yard catch against Arizona in 2023 also stands out as a pivotal play in his young professional career.
Jalin Hyatt Career Wins
Hyatt’s career is still in its early professional stages, but he has already built a highlight reel of significant performances. From high school state championships to a record-setting junior season at Tennessee and a productive rookie year with the Giants, he has consistently delivered in key moments.
Tennessee Volunteers Highlights
Hyatt’s 2022 season produced his most celebrated achievements at the college level. He set Tennessee single-season and single-game records for receiving touchdowns and finished with 1,267 receiving yards, the second-highest total in program history. He led the Southeastern Conference in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, capping the year with the Fred Biletnikoff Award and unanimous All-American honors.
Other Wins and Performances
At Dutch Fork High School, Hyatt helped lead the program to undefeated state championship seasons in 2018 and 2019, including a dramatic overtime victory in the 2019 title game. In the NFL, Hyatt was named Pepsi offensive rookie of the week after his 109-yard performance against New England in 2023, signaling his continued growth as a professional.
Jalin Hyatt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jalin Daveon Hyatt comes from a deeply athletic family. His father, Jamie Hyatt, played college basketball and competed as a semi-professional cyclist, while his mother, Enevelyn Hyatt, was a collegiate sprinter. Both parents later pursued careers as school teachers, balancing their athletic backgrounds with a commitment to education.
Personal Life
Hyatt’s younger brother, Devin Hyatt, plays college football for the Arizona Wildcats, continuing the family’s tradition of athletic competition. Raised in Irmo, South Carolina, Hyatt remains connected to his hometown, which is located roughly 20 miles from Williams-Brice Stadium, the home of the South Carolina Gamecocks. He is known for his dedication to training and his strong family ties.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Hyatt is positioned to take on a larger role within the New York Giants’ passing attack. After adjusting to the professional game during his first two seasons, he has the opportunity to build on the flashes of playmaking ability he showed as a rookie. The Giants’ offensive staff will look to utilize his deep speed as a complementary weapon in their passing game.
Hyatt’s development throughout the 2024 season, when he appeared in 16 games, provided valuable experience and a clearer understanding of NFL defenses. With another offseason of strength training and route refinement, he is expected to compete for an expanded target share. Consistency and health will be key factors in determining how quickly he can emerge as a regular contributor.
As the Giants continue shaping their offensive identity, Hyatt’s ability to stretch the field and produce explosive plays remains his most valuable asset. A strong 2025 campaign could solidify his place as a long-term piece of the team’s receiving corps and validate the investment the franchise made in selecting him in the 2023 NFL Draft.