Hyatt hopes for better results in his third NFL season
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt discussed a number of topics during an exclusive interview with Big Blue View, including his offseason training regimen, his relationship with Russell Wilson, and more.
Below, excerpts from our conversation.
On his offseason regimen
Hyatt had previously admitted that he added nearly 25 pounds this offseason, going from about 171 pounds at the end of the season to 194 or 195 pounds during spring practices. How did he do that in a short offseason?
“Every day. Right after we got done from the season I went right to training. There were no breaks,” Hyatt said. “Just every day, getting with my chef, getting the right calories every day, staying in the weight room every day, working, working, working. This is before training for OTAs before training for training camp. I got right on it right after the end of the season.”
Hyatt said that is different than previous offseasons.
“Consistent on the field was always the same, but as far as consistent in the weight room, that’s something I’ve done different. It was every day. I didn’t go on vacation this year … Just strictly football.”
On handling adversity
Hyatt has been playing football since age 5. His team won two state championships, with Hyatt gaining recognition as one of the best high school players in South Carolina. He won the Biletnikoff Award in 2022 as the best wide receiver in college football.
To date, that success has not followed Hyatt to the NFL. How has he handled the frustrating start to his NFL career”
“It’s definitely, I think, adversity and I’ve been through adversity before, my sophomore year in Tennessee,” Hyatt said. “I felt like I’ve been in, been going through adversity since being here, year one, year two, and now going to year three. But I think as far as with that you can make the most of it.
“I think it, it made me train harder, made me work harder in off season. And now it’s just for me to show my work, show what I have done going to a new season, it’s a new year, it’s a new season. So, that’s kind of how I look at it.”
The 2024 season, when he caught just eight passes and was a rarely-used spare part in the Giants’ offense, was particular for Hyatt, who won’t be 24 until Sept. 25.
“You kind of have to block out what kind of happened last year or my rookie year. Just block it out, new year, new season, what can you do this year? Especially with the new additions we have in that quarterback room. I feel like it’s going to be a great year for us.”
On Russell Wilson’s belief in him
Since signing with the Giants in the offseason, veteran quarterback Russell Wilson has consistently expressed belief in Hyatt’s ability. Wilson’s ability to throw the deep ball, and his belief in him, should lead to opportunities for the speedy Hyatt.
Hyatt said Wilson called him the day he signed with the Giants.
“He called me, tells me he watched my film, tells me how great a player I can be and what he’s going to bring to this room,” Hyatt said. “When you have somebody like Russ who has done it for a while, who’s been experienced, who has been to the playoffs, who’s been to the Super Bowl, who’s been playing at a high level, come and say that, hey, I’ve seen all your film, seen what type of player you can be and what type of player you will be. Just brings a spark, brings extra, just extra motivation for myself, extra confidence.”
On rookie QB Jaxson Dart
The Giants drafted Dart in the first round and are invested in him as their quarterback of the future.
“I love Dart,” Hyatt said. “We connected on day two, I’m pretty sure, in training camp before I went down on a little back shoulder that he threw to me.
“In the huddle he told me he was throwing me the ball. Just hearing that trust, hearing him say that in the huddle — ‘I’m gonna throw you the ball here’ — it just brings you extra motivation, extra confidence, especially from a quarterback that wants to get you the ball. And he’s gonna be a great player.”
Other Giants have commented about the confidence, the swag, Dart displays.
“I told him he should have brought that to Tennessee. I mean, Ole Miss is cool,” Hyatt said. “He should have brought it to Tennessee, but it’s all right. It’s all right.”
On Tom Coughlin’s speech
The legenday two-time Super Bowl-winning coach spoke to the team following Tuesday’s practice. It was typical, amped up, motivational Coughlin.
“It’s the beginning of everything”
Tom Coughlin talks to the team after practice pic.twitter.com/XU5y6QNr4P
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 30, 2025
“Obviously a legend, Hall of Fame or coach, what he has done,” Hyatt said. “Just being around a coach like that who has seen success, who has done it at a high level in multiple years, and just listened to what he had to say.
“He looked like he could coach again. He looked like he’s the coach.”
[NOTE: Hyatt was available via his partnership with Hyatt Hotels.]