The former Tennessee Vols star is getting “buzz” as a sleeper NFL free agent, according to ESPN.

Jalin Hyatt: A Sleeper NFL Free Agent Worth Watching

The NFL is a league that thrives on uncovering hidden gems—players who, despite not being first-round draft picks or household names, go on to exceed expectations and make a significant impact on the field. Every year, teams scour free agency looking for those players who have the potential to surprise and provide value at a position of need. One such player who has been generating buzz in the 2025 NFL offseason is former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.

Though Hyatt’s career may not have received the same amount of mainstream attention as other big-name prospects in recent drafts, he is quietly emerging as a sleeper in the free-agent market. With his impressive performances during his time in Knoxville, coupled with his unique skill set, Hyatt is a player who is attracting the interest of NFL teams looking for a talented receiver who could provide an immediate spark.

This article takes a deeper look at Jalin Hyatt’s journey, his development as a player at Tennessee, his standout skills, and why he could be a sleeper in the NFL free-agent market.

The Rise of Jalin Hyatt: From Knoxville to the NFL

Jalin Hyatt began his football career in Irmo, South Carolina, where he showcased his talents at Dutch Fork High School. He quickly became known for his speed, agility, and ability to stretch the field—traits that made him a highly sought-after recruit. After a standout high school career, Hyatt committed to the University of Tennessee, where he would go on to make a name for himself as one of the SEC’s most dangerous wide receivers.

Hyatt arrived in Knoxville in 2020, joining a Tennessee program under head coach Jeremy Pruitt. However, it wasn’t until the arrival of new head coach Josh Heupel in 2021 that Hyatt’s game began to truly flourish. Heupel’s up-tempo, high-scoring offense, built around a fast-paced passing attack, was tailor-made for Hyatt’s skill set. The speedster quickly became one of the most dangerous deep threats in college football, making him an integral part of Tennessee’s offense.

Hyatt’s breakout season came in 2022. After a solid 2021 campaign, he turned heads across the country in his junior year, where he exploded for 1,267 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. He was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American. His performance helped Tennessee become one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and Hyatt’s ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays was a key component of the Vols’ success.

But while Hyatt’s collegiate career was impressive, his journey to the NFL was anything but guaranteed. Many analysts believed he might need to prove himself more consistently to make a real impact in the pros. Despite his stellar 2022 season, there were questions about his ability to translate his college success to the NFL level, especially given his sometimes spotty consistency and concerns about his route-running and ability to play outside of Heupel’s system.

However, as free agency approaches, Hyatt’s stock is rising. His blend of speed, athleticism, and big-play potential has captured the attention of NFL scouts, making him one of the more intriguing sleeper prospects in this year’s free-agent class.

A Deep Threat: Hyatt’s Unique Skill Set

What makes Jalin Hyatt stand out among the other free-agent wide receivers is his ability to make plays down the field. The wide receiver position in the NFL is always looking for players who can stretch the field, create separation, and make big plays. Hyatt has all the tools to do just that.

1. Speed and Explosion

Hyatt’s most obvious asset is his speed. He is a burner, capable of running past defenders with ease. His straight-line speed makes him a constant threat on deep routes, and it’s this ability that earned him a reputation as one of the top deep threats in the SEC during his time at Tennessee. His speed allows him to get open on go routes, post routes, and fade routes, all of which are crucial elements of an NFL offense that values the big play.

Hyatt’s ability to get open deep down the field is one of the main reasons why he’s generating so much buzz. In the NFL, where offenses rely on the passing game to move the ball efficiently, a wide receiver who can stretch the field and open up space for other players is invaluable. Hyatt’s speed forces opposing defenses to adjust their coverage schemes, opening up opportunities for other receivers and creating a more balanced offensive attack.

2. Playmaking Ability

In addition to his speed, Hyatt has a natural ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. Whether it’s catching a deep pass over the shoulder, making defenders miss in the open field, or breaking off long runs after the catch, Hyatt is someone who can turn any play into a scoring opportunity. His agility and vision make him dangerous after the catch, and his ball skills allow him to track and adjust to passes in challenging situations.

In 2022, Hyatt finished with an average of 21.3 yards per reception, a testament to his ability to make plays in the deep passing game. He has an uncanny knack for getting behind defenders, and once he has the ball in his hands, he’s a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

3. High Football IQ and Route-Running Development

While Hyatt’s speed and playmaking ability are his strongest assets, his route running has shown significant improvement during his time at Tennessee. Under Heupel, Hyatt was asked to run a variety of routes, not just the deep ball. He improved his route tree, becoming more versatile as a wide receiver.

Although he was often used on vertical routes, he demonstrated the ability to run quick slants, digs, and outs. His ability to create separation through nuanced route running—coupled with his deceptive quickness—makes him more than just a deep threat. As his technique continues to develop, Hyatt has the potential to become an all-around receiver in the NFL.

4. Improving Physicality and Catching Ability

One area of concern for Hyatt has been his physicality, particularly his ability to fight through press coverage and high-impact hits. At times during his collegiate career, Hyatt was vulnerable to being jammed at the line of scrimmage. However, his work ethic and understanding of the game indicate that he will continue to develop in this area. His catching ability has also been a topic of discussion, but he has demonstrated the capacity to catch passes in difficult conditions, including contested balls down the field.

The Case for Hyatt as a Sleeper Free Agent

The NFL free-agent market is flooded with established wide receivers, many of whom are proven commodities. However, it’s the unknown players—like Jalin Hyatt—who can often make the biggest difference for a team looking for a spark at the wide receiver position. Hyatt is a player with enormous potential who is flying under the radar compared to other big-name free-agent wide receivers.

1. Fit with NFL Teams Looking for Speed

In a league that increasingly values speed and explosive plays, Hyatt’s skills make him an excellent fit for teams that need to add another dimension to their offense. His deep-threat ability is something that teams covet, and his vertical speed would fit well with offenses that prioritize the deep ball. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs or Miami Dolphins, who already possess elite quarterbacks and high-flying offenses, could see Hyatt as the perfect complement to their established stars.

2. High Upside in the Right System

While his college system was fast-paced and designed to get Hyatt open deep, the NFL offers more opportunities for him to showcase his ability in a more diverse range of schemes. If he lands with a team that values his unique skill set and is willing to develop him further as an all-around receiver, Hyatt has the potential to exceed expectations and become a high-level contributor.

3. The NFL’s Growing Emphasis on Young Talent

As the NFL becomes more focused on younger, athletic players who can make an immediate impact, Hyatt is a player who fits that mold. As a young wide receiver entering the league, he offers tremendous upside for a team looking to develop a future star. His explosiveness and big-play ability mean that even if he doesn’t start immediately, he could make an impact as a situational deep threat in his first few seasons.

The Sleeper Who Could Shine

Jalin Hyatt might not be the most talked-about name in the NFL free-agent class, but that could very well work in his favor. With his combination of speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability, Hyatt is a wide receiver who could surprise in the NFL, given the right opportunity.

As free agency unfolds, expect to hear more about the former Tennessee Vols star and his potential to make an impact in the NFL. While he may be viewed as a sleeper now, don’t be surprised if Hyatt emerges as one of the most exciting players in the league, carving out a legacy for himself as one of the most dynamic deep threats in football.

Hyatt’s journey from Knoxville to the NFL is just beginning, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding the potential of this rising star. As teams look for the next great wide receiver, Jalin Hyatt might just be the hidden gem they’ve been waiting for.