Jalin Hyatt, a third-round draft choice by the New York Giants, outperformed expectations during training camp. The newbie is now a little bit lifting the bar.
Hyatt, who previously wore No. 84 while working out in the offseason, has switched to No. 13, the jersey number that Odell Beckham Jr. famously wore during his phenomenal debut season in New York. On team’s official website Hyatt said
“I was trying to decide which one I wanted — if I wanted to stick with 84 or try to do something different — but I decided 13,” “There’s no story behind it. I just want to start my own legacy with it and do my best for the Giants in No. 13.”
OBJ is not the last athlete to don the No. 13 for Big Blue. David Sills wore it last season and throughout training camp up until his release last week, and Dante Pettis wore it from 2020 to 22. Hyatt changed after No. 13 became available.
What does Hyatt feel about OBJ
While it may not come as a suprise Hyatt was a fan of OBJ when he was a young one . He said about OBJ
“What he did here — had a great career with the Giants and kind of took over,” “I was a fan when I was young watching him. High school, college, and now being here, but just with the jersey number, it’s just one of those things I wanted to start my own legacy. I like low numbers, and if I had to choose a number it’d be 11 (Phil Simms), but it’s retired here, so can’t go with that one, so 13 would be the next option.”
The fan base’s expectations for Hyatt will only rise as a result of the rookie receiving the No. 13 pick. But it also includes backing from OBJ personally. OBJ was quick to proclaim his admiration for young Hyatt on X(formerly Twitter) .
ROCK OUT ONE THREE @jalinhyatt 🚀
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) August 31, 2023
Although Hyatt might not start his career as an OBJ-like 1,300-yard rookie wideout or a stalwart Pro Bowler, he has the talent and chance to make the most of the number 13.