Jalin Hyatt was rated as a four-star prospect by 247 and joined the Tennessee Volunteers in 2020. He immediately contributed to the team in 2020, finishing third on the team in receiving yards in 8 games playing behind future NFL third-round picks in Josh Palmer (2021) and Velus Jones (2022). Hyatt put up nearly identical numbers in his sophomore season, as redshirted junior Cedric Tillman took over the alpha receiver role from the departed Josh Palmer, keeping Hyatt in his WR3 role.
2022 was Hyatt's breakout season as he led the Volunteers in receptions (67), receiving yards (1267), and touchdowns (15) in 12 games. Hyatt's career year resulted in him winning the Biletnikoff Award, being named to the First-Team All-SEC team, and making the Unanimous All-American team. Since 2018, all Biletnikoff Award winners have been drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, except Jordan Addison, a fellow member of the 2023 NFL Draft class.