Three Former Vols Appear at NFLPA Rookie Premier Event
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The Tennessee Volunteers had several members of their 2022 high-octane offense attend the NFLPA Rookie Premier event. Each organization sent a member of their rookie class to attend, with some sending multiple. Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt, and Cedric Tillman were all present for one of the only times the rookie class gets together before the NFL season.
Hooker will begin the year as the No. 2 quarterback for the Detroit Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell has gone on record stating this will be a "redshirt year" for Hooker as he continues rehabbing from his ACL injury. Current starter Jared Goff has the backing of team brass as they continue gathering more information. Reports surfaced early this offseason that they were in contract extension talks with Goff, but nothing has come since.
Meanwhile, Tillman and Hyatt should see the field a lot in their rookie seasons. Hyatt is already the most explosive wide receiver on the New York Giants' roster. Head coach Brian Daboll reinvigorated the franchise in 2022, leading them to a playoff berth and a Wild Card win over the Minnesota Vikings before losing to the eventual NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants are retooling their offense around quarterback Daniel Jones, who they handed a contract extension to this offseason, and implementing Hyatt into their downfield passing game should help.
While Tillman is a third-round pick, many expect him to be a starting-caliber player for Cleveland. The local media has reported that he's done well in minicamps and that the Browns are impressed with his physicality and versatility on the outside. Tillman has expressed that he's excited get back on the field and make impact plays like he did for the Vols in 2021 when he logged over 1,000 yards.
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