Hyde received multiple scholarship offers from prominent college football programs, including Florida, Miami (FL), and Florida State. Although he had a strong desire to play for Ohio State, academic requirements initially delayed his entry. He spent the fall semester of 2009 at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia before enrolling at Ohio State University in 2010.

College Career at Ohio State

Hyde joined the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 2010 and began his collegiate career as a backup running back. In his junior season, he appeared in 10 games, missing two due to an ankle injury. He looked forward to his senior season in 2013, but it began with a suspension for the first three games due to his involvement in an off-field incident at a local bar. Although no criminal charges were filed, the suspension temporarily sidelined his progress.

Upon his return, Hyde delivered a standout performance in the remaining eight games of the season. His accomplishments earned him First-Team All-Big Ten honors as well as a spot on the Associated Press Third-Team All-American list. Over his college career, Hyde became known for his physical toughness and strong downhill running style—traits that positioned him as one of the top running backs in his draft class.