He played college football at Tennessee, where he won the Fred Biletnikoff Award and was voted a unanimous All-American in 2022 after setting program records for single-season and single-game touchdown receptions.

He is the oldest son of Jamie, a former college basketball player and semi-professional cyclist, and Enevelyn Hyatt, who was a collegiate sprinter.

[11] Despite his success in high school, Hyatt was not recruited by in-state programs Clemson and South Carolina due to their concerns of his small frame as he weighed only 153 pounds (69 kg) at the time.

[12][13][3] Concerns over his weight even led South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp to tell him "Man, you're fast, but you need to eat more peanut butter".

[13] Hyatt announced his commitment to play college football at Virginia Tech in February 2019, but reopened his recruitment in June of the same year.

[21] On October 24, Hyatt caught his first collegiate touchdown, a 38-yard pass from Jarrett Guarantano, in a 48–17 loss to Alabama.

[25][26] However, he battled with injuries and a lack of playing time, starting just one game and ultimately finished the season with 21 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns.

[29][30] In Tennessee's second game of the year, Hyatt recorded a career-high 11 receptions in a 34–27 overtime victory at #17 Pittsburgh.

[32][33] Following an injury to fellow wide receiver Cedric Tillman, Hyatt would emerge as Tennessee's top pass-catching target.

[47] Hyatt bounced back the following week against Missouri where he caught seven passes for 146 yards including a 68-yard touchdown from quarterback Hendon Hooker en route to a 66–24 victory.

[49][50] Against the Gamecocks he recorded six catches for 67 yards as Tennessee lost 38–63 in an upset that all but ended the Volunteers playoff aspirations.