Daniel Jones can check in whenever he wants. Hyatt is always open.
"I feel like I'm just dynamic, explosive, I feel like I get open 24/7," Jalin Hyatt said in his introductory press conference at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center after the Giants traded up to grab the Tennessee wide receiver in the third round. "I think that's what you want in a receiver, and I feel like really with those three attributes, I think that's what separates myself from everybody else."
The NFL will present a whole new world of challenges, but Hyatt certainly never seemed closed in college. A unanimous first-team All-American, Hyatt became the first player in Volunteers history to win the Biletnikoff Award, which is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding receiver.
View photos of the New York Giants' seven-member draft class.
Round 1, Pick No. 24 - Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
Round 2, Pick No. 57 - John Michael Schmitz, OL, Minnesota
Round 3, Pick No. 73 - Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Round 5, Pick No. 172 - Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
Round 6, Pick No. 209 - Tre Hawkins III, CB, Old Dominion
Round 7, Pick No. 243 - Jordon Riley, DL, Oregon
Round 7, Pick No. 254 - Gervarrius Owens, DB, Houston
Maryland defensive back Deonte Banks (3) reacts to a Michigan turnover in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Maryland defensive back Deonte Banks (3) defends Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Maryland's Deonte Banks, right, intercepts a pass intended for Indiana's Andison Coby (10) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) calls out a blocking coverage against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) calls out a blocking coverage against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) looks for someone to block against Penn State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) calls out a blocking coverage against Penn State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) looks to block Penn State defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (99) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) looks for someone to block against Penn State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz (60) looks for someone to block against Penn State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA football game against Ball State on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) catches a touchdown pass as he is defended by Purdue safety Cam Allen (10) in the second half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) celebrates his touchdown against Ball State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) catchers a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for yardage as Tennessee Martin safety Carson Evans (12) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for a touchdown after catching a pass from Princeton Fant during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Tennessee Martin Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) dives into the end zone between Ball State defenders for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) runs for yardage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 38-33. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (11) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray carries against Oregon during the second half of the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) runs upfield during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Dallas. Oklahoma won 55-48. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) celebrates with offensive lineman Erik Swenson (77) after scoring a touchdown against Iowa State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 28-21. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) fights to escape a tackle by Western Carolina defensive lineman K.J. Milner (96) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 76 -0. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) is pushed out of bounds short of the goal line by Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Lawrence, Kan. Oklahoma won 35-23. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Iowa State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 28-21. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Nebraska defensive lineman Deontre Thomas, left, tackles Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) runs ahead of West Virginia linebacker Exree Loe (6) for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sep. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) runs ahead of West Virginia linebacker Josh Chandler-Semedo (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) looks at Western Carolina safety Charles Gadie (7) on a run during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
CB Tre Hawkins III, Old Dominion
Oregon defensive lineman Jordon Riley (91) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Oregon defensive lineman Jordon Riley (91) pressures California quarterback Kai Millner (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oregon defensive lineman Jordon Riley, left, and linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, right, tackle Washington State wide receiver Robert Ferrel, center, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Oregon football player Jordon Riley (91) participates in a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon football player Jordon Riley (91) participates in a shuttle drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon football player Jordon Riley (91) participates in a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon football player Jordon Riley (91) participates in a position drill at the school's NFL Pro Day, Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon DL Jordon Riley
Oregon DL Jordon Riley
Houston DB Gervarrius Owens
Houston DB Gervarrius Owens
Houston DB Gervarrius Owens
Houston DB Gervarrius Owens
Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke).
Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens (2) runs with an interception against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) is tackled by Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens (2) runs with an interception against Texas Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Justin Rex)
Houston defensive back Gervarrius Owens (2) pushes South Florida running back Kelley Joiner Jr. (3) out of bounds on his gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
He took the record-setting campaign national on October 15, 2022.
Alabama, then ranked No. 3 in the country, came into Neyland Stadium to play No. 5 Tennessee. In front of 101,915 fans in Knoxville and millions of viewers watching on TV, Hyatt found his way into the orange and white chessboard a program-record five times. Two of those trips to the end zone came in the fourth quarter – a 78-yarder and another from 13 yards off the arm of Hendon Hooker to tie the game with 3:26 left to play.
Chase McGrath later kicked a game-winning field goal for the Vols as time expired, leading to pandemonium as students rushed the field. The goal posts came down, and Hyatt's stock went up in their place.
"It probably changed my life," Hyatt said.
Indeed it did.
Joe Schoen, who is a "good friend" of Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, witnessed the matchup of the year in person, although a delay coming from another game caused the Giants' general manager to miss part of his usual pregame time on the field. So, instead of heading up to the press box for kickoff, he stayed on the field for the first half.
Hyatt scored two touchdowns in the first 11 minutes.
"You could really feel his speed," Schoen said. "It's legit 4.3."
Now the Giants will be seeing it firsthand for the foreseeable future as Hyatt was part of Schoen's offseason plan to bring more speed to the roster in all three phases.
Of his 108 career catches, 52 went for 10+ yards, 30 for 20+ yards, 21 for 30+ yards, and 12 for 40+ yards. Despite their overall team success, the Giants ranked last with just 28 pass plays of at least 20 yards, well below the league average of 49.
Hyatt, however, wants to be more than just a deep threat at the next level.
"Really throughout the whole process of combine, pro day, that's really what I was working on," Hyatt said. "Just come from a different system, just getting used to more complex routes, and I'm very capable of doing what I have to do. I'm very confident in what I've done in my training and just can't wait to get to work."
Neither can Jones.
The quarterback's bankroll wasn't the only thing that got a boost this season. The Giants surrounded him with new weapons, from veterans like Darren Waller and Parris Campbell to the Biletnikoff Award winner.
Jones texted Hyatt shortly after being drafted. The essence of the message was simple: "Are you ready?"
"I'm ready," Hyatt said. "I've been ready my whole life. I'm going to be asset for him. That's what I want to be. I want to be a player he can trust, somebody who is going to be a professional and going to get open for him consistently and that's what I'm going to do for him. … I can't wait. I can't wait. Like I said, Daniel Jones, a great quarterback, we all know that, proven himself and now it's time for me to prove myself to him, and I can't wait for it."
View photos of the Giants' draft picks touring the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
CB Deonte Banks
Brian Daboll Head Coach, John Michael Schmitz (61), Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
John Michael Schmitz (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt
New York Giants defensive back Deonte Banks poses for a photo with head coach Brian Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen on Friday April 28, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
John Michael Schmitz (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt
John Michael Schmitz (61)
CB Deonte Banks
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, WR Jalin Hyatt, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Brian Daboll Head Coach
John Michael Schmitz (61)
New York Giants defensive back Deonte Banks poses for a photo with head coach Brian Daboll General Manager Joe Schoen and CEO John Mara on Friday April 28, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
WR Jalin Hyatt
John Michael Schmitz (61)
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, WR Jalin Hyatt, Brian Daboll Head Coach
New York Giants defensive back Deonte Banks poses for a photo with his family on Friday April 28, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
Brian Daboll Head Coach, John Michael Schmitz (61), Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager
CB Deonte Banks
New York Giants defensive back Deonte Banks poses for a photo with CEO John Mara on Friday April 28, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
New York Giants second round draft pick John Michael Schmitz poses for a photo after talking to the media on Saturday April 29, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Deonte Banks
John Michael Schmitz (61)
CB Deonte Banks
John Michael Schmitz (61)
New York Giants second round draft pick John Michael Schmitz talks to the media on Saturday April 29, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
CB Deonte Banks
New York Giants second round draft pick John Michael Schmitz talks to the media on Saturday April 29, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
CB Deonte Banks
New York Giants second round draft pick John Michael Schmitz poses for a photo after talking to the media on Saturday April 29, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
John Michael Schmitz (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt, Daniel Jones (8)
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
WR Jalin Hyatt
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, WR Jalin Hyatt, Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Brian Daboll Head Coach
CB Deonte Banks
CB Deonte Banks
New York Giants second round draft pick John Michael Schmitz poses for a photo after talking to the media on Saturday April 29, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
WR Jalin Hyatt
John K. Mara, Esq. President and Chief Executive Officer, John Michael Schmitz (61), Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, Brian Daboll Head Coach
John Michael Schmitz (61)
John Michael Schmitz (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt
John Michael Schmitz (61)
WR Jalin Hyatt
New York Giants second round draft pick John Michael Schmitz talks to the media on Saturday April 29, 2022 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt
Joe Schoen Senior Vice President and General Manager, WR Jalin Hyatt, Brian Daboll Head Coach
WR Jalin Hyatt
WR Jalin Hyatt, Daniel Jones (8)
