Two Tennessee Vols players, Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt, were surprisingly snubbed from the NFL Combine despite impressive careers.

The NFL Scouting Combine is widely regarded as the most important event for college football players hoping to transition to the next level. Every year, the NFL invites a select group of players to Indianapolis, where they are evaluated by NFL coaches, scouts, and general managers. For many players, the Combine is their last opportunity to improve their draft stock before the NFL Draft in late April. Invitations to the Combine are coveted, as they give athletes the chance to showcase their skills, physical abilities, and mental toughness in front of NFL teams.

However, despite the high stakes and the honor associated with receiving an invitation, not all deserving players are invited to participate in this prestigious event. While the Combine offers an essential platform for future NFL stars to demonstrate their abilities, the selection process for invites has often come under scrutiny. One notable case in 2025 was the surprising snubbing of two of Tennessee’s most talented players—quarterback Hendon Hooker and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt—who were left off the invite list despite stellar college careers that included impressive individual performances and team accomplishments.

The exclusion of Hooker and Hyatt raised eyebrows throughout the college football world, as both players were instrumental to the success of the Tennessee Vols football program. Their absence from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine raised a number of questions about the selection process and has led to debates about fairness, bias, and the criteria used to determine who gets invited. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at why Hooker and Hyatt were snubbed, evaluate their college careers, explore the potential reasons behind the decision, and examine what this means for their futures in the NFL Draft.

Hendon Hooker’s Incredible College Career

When Hendon Hooker transferred from Virginia Tech to Tennessee in 2022, few expected him to have the transformative impact he would have on the Vols’ football program. Hooker’s leadership, maturity, and skill set made him one of the top quarterbacks in college football over the course of his two years in Knoxville.

During the 2024 season, Hooker led the Vols to an 11-2 record and a spot in a prominent bowl game, all while posting impressive individual numbers. He threw for over 3,500 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He also rushed for over 600 yards and 10 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities that made him such a nightmare for opposing defenses. His combination of arm strength, accuracy, decision-making, and mobility allowed him to excel both in the pocket and on the move, making him a dynamic force on the field.

Hooker was instrumental in Tennessee’s rise as one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Under the guidance of head coach Josh Heupel, the Vols’ up-tempo, high-powered attack thrived with Hooker at the helm. He developed a deep rapport with his wide receivers and demonstrated impressive poise in clutch situations, earning the respect of coaches, teammates, and NFL scouts alike. His leadership skills were also widely praised, as he played a pivotal role in the development of Tennessee’s young roster and helped guide the program back into national prominence.

Despite all of these accomplishments, Hendon Hooker was not invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, a decision that left many puzzled and frustrated. Hooker’s exclusion from the event seemed to be a major oversight, especially when considering his performance on the field and his potential at the professional level.

Jalin Hyatt: A Playmaker Who Changed the Game

Jalin Hyatt’s rise to prominence during the 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. As Tennessee’s top wide receiver, Hyatt’s ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays was a key component of the Vols’ offensive success. Hyatt finished the 2024 season with over 1,400 receiving yards, 17 touchdowns, and an average of 18 yards per reception, making him one of the most dangerous deep threats in the country. His speed, route-running ability, and hands made him a constant threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Hyatt’s most memorable performance came in Tennessee’s high-profile victory over Alabama in 2024, where he caught 8 passes for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 70-yard score that showcased his elite speed and ability to make plays in critical moments. His consistent production throughout the season earned him recognition as one of the top wide receivers in college football, and many experts expected him to be one of the first players at his position selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

In addition to his on-field success, Hyatt demonstrated the traits that NFL teams look for in wide receivers, including a strong work ethic, the ability to learn and grow, and the ability to thrive in pressure-filled situations. He was also a key part of the Vols’ offensive game plans, playing a pivotal role in the team’s explosive passing attack under Coach Heupel.

Despite his exceptional statistics and standout performances, Jalin Hyatt was also left off the invite list for the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. This decision was met with widespread confusion, as Hyatt was widely considered one of the most talented wide receivers in the draft class. His ability to make game-changing plays and his deep-threat potential made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams, but his exclusion from the Combine cast doubt on the evaluation process.

The NFL Combine Selection Process

To understand why two players with the caliber of Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt were excluded from the NFL Scouting Combine, it is important to examine the selection process itself. The NFL Scouting Combine is an invitation-only event, and the list of invitees is determined by a group of league officials, coaches, and scouts. In general, invitations are extended to players who are expected to be top picks in the upcoming draft, as well as those who have demonstrated exceptional physical talent, production, and potential in college.

The selection process, while designed to identify the best prospects, is not always perfect. There have been instances in the past where players who are considered to be top talents are excluded from the Combine for various reasons. Sometimes, players who may not have been as highly rated or who have had less impressive college careers are invited based on position needs or perceived upside, while players who have put together dominant careers are overlooked.

One of the primary reasons for the snubbing of Hooker and Hyatt could be the highly competitive nature of the draft class. In both the quarterback and wide receiver positions, the 2025 draft class was stacked with talent. There were a number of highly regarded quarterbacks, such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix Jr., all vying for attention from NFL teams. The depth of talent at quarterback could have led to Hooker being overlooked despite his impressive career and strong showing in 2024.

Similarly, the wide receiver position in 2025 was also highly competitive, with players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Quentin Johnston, and Jordan Addison all expected to be top picks in the draft. Hyatt, despite his tremendous production, may have been overlooked in favor of other wide receivers who were considered to be more “prototypical” or who performed better in pre-draft evaluations. Additionally, concerns about his overall route running or his ability to excel against top competition could have led to some scouts deciding that other receivers were more worthy of Combine invitations.

The Impact of the Snubs

The exclusion of Hooker and Hyatt from the NFL Combine undoubtedly has an impact on their draft prospects. Without the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and participate in the grueling physical tests and drills that are a hallmark of the Combine, both players will have to rely on their pro day performances and private workouts to prove their worth to NFL teams.

While the Combine is an important event for players to raise their stock, it is by no means the only way to get noticed. Many players who were not invited to the Combine have gone on to have successful NFL careers after impressing scouts with their pro day performances, individual workouts, or film evaluations. In fact, players who are excluded from the Combine often have a chip on their shoulder, motivating them to prove that they were worthy of an invitation.

For both Hooker and Hyatt, their college careers speak for themselves. Hooker’s leadership, passing ability, and dual-threat skills were on full display for two years at Tennessee, and Hyatt’s ability to stretch the field and make big plays was a key factor in the Vols’ offensive success. Both players have the potential to be impact players in the NFL, and their lack of a Combine invitation should not overshadow their considerable talent.

The Road Ahead: Pro Day and the NFL Draft

Despite being snubbed from the NFL Scouting Combine, Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt still have plenty of opportunities to showcase their talents leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Both players will have the chance to impress NFL scouts during their respective pro days, where they can participate in position-specific drills, answer questions from team representatives, and prove that they have what it takes to succeed at the next level.

While their absence from the Combine may create some hurdles, it will not prevent them from achieving their NFL dreams. Both players have the talent and potential to succeed in the league, and the decision-makers who take a chance on them could find themselves with future stars on their hands. For Vols fans, it’s clear that Hooker and Hyatt represent two of the brightest prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and their exclusion from the Combine should only serve as extra motivation as they work toward their next challenge in the world of professional football.

In the end, while the Combine snubs were unfortunate, both Hooker and Hyatt have the drive, skill set, and leadership qualities to prove the doubters wrong and carve out successful careers in the NFL.