Friday, January 23, 2026

2026 NFL Draft Prospect CB Colton Hood


Scouting Reports:






Articles:

2026 NFL draft buzz: Intel on top picks, potential trades (I've heard there's a chance Tennessee's Colton Hood could be the second cornerback taken, behind Delane and ahead of Volunteers teammate Jermod McCoy. There are teams wary of the condition of McCoy's knee and could shy away. Multiple people have compared it to former Michigan cornerback Will Johnson's situation last year, as he was a first-round talent who fell into Day 2 due to health concerns. Johnson ended up playing well as a rookie for the Cardinals anyway.) (4-22-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48552000/2026-nfl-draft-news-intel-buzz-top-picks-prospects-sleepers-trades

7 First-Round NFL Draft Prospects Who Could Slide to Day 2 (Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  The cornerback class is a competitive one. Tennessee's Colton Hood is among the cluster of prospects at the position hoping to be a back-half first-round pick. A one-year starter, he's raw and super athletic, having posted a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump at the NFL Combine. He's currently overly reliant on those athletic tools, as opposed to technique, to be disruptive in coverage. If cornerbacks like Chris Johnson are first-round picks, it could mean a slide for Hood.) (4-21-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/7-first-round-nfl-draft-prospects-who-could-slide-to-day-2

'I'm a complete corner': Why Colton Hood thinks he's best CB in NFL draft | Exclusive (4-20-26):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2026/04/18/2026-nfl-draft-cornerback-colton-hood-evaluation/89660702007/

2026 NFL Draft preview: 5 cornerbacks that could interest Lions (3. Colton Hood, Tennessee:  6-0, 193. 4.44 seconds in 40-yard dash.  Hood is one of the more complete players at the position in the class from a man to zone coverage perspective and the ability to play both the pass and the run. He's a scrappy player who can play several different roles for a defense because of his skillset.) (4-15-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-preview-5-cornerbacks-that-could-interest-lions

Ranking the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL Draft (3. Colton Hood, Tennessee, 6-0, 193.  Three-school, three-year journey ended with him filling McCoy’s shoes and making 4.5 tackles for loss. Safety-like run-defense mentality, but shifty receivers could give him issues. Runs stride-for-stride in man-to-man coverage on vertical routes. Only 13 career starts. Jams receivers off the ball.) (4-13-26):  https://nypost.com/2026/04/13/sports/ranking-the-top-10-cornerbacks-in-the-2026-nfl-draft/


2026 NFL Draft CB Rankings: LSU’s Mansoor Delane, Tennessee duo lead the way (3. Colton Hood, Tennessee:  Hood is an explosive, press man corner with good speed. He uses a well-timed jam to make life difficult for pass catchers at the line of scrimmage and continues that physicality against the sideline. He’s excellent at chopping and punching through hands at the catch point, but he needs to make more of an effort at turning to the ball in the NFL.  Hood is noticeably better in press man coverage compared to sitting in off coverage. For all the explosiveness and long speed he has, his short-area agility against quicker routes isn’t as impressive.  I love his intensity when it’s time to stop ball carriers. He has very good burst and wants to hit like a safety. His week to week preparation is up there with any corner in this class and that showed up on tape even as a one-year starter. Overall, Hood won’t be for every defense but he could shine when asked to play an aggressive, in-your-face brand of football.) (4-6-26):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/news/2026-nfl-draft-cb-rankings-lsus-mansoor-delane-tennessee-duo-lead-the-way

2026 NFL Draft defensive back rankings: Best player any position might be in this group, which is pretty deep (7. Colton Hood, Tennessee:  The second Volunteers corner on this list has some of the same similarities as teammate Jermod McCoy. Hood has some solid ball skills and ability to play man-on-man coverage that will boost his draft stock as April nears. Hood had an impressive combine workout, running a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and jumping over 40 inches on the vertical leap. — CM) (4-1-26):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-draft-defensive-back-rankings-best-player-any-position-might-be-in-this-group-which-is-pretty-deep-181949713.html

LSU's Mansoor Delane leads group of top 8 DBs in 2026 NFL Draft class: Insights from 'Football 301' (Colton Hood, Tennessee:  One of the best testers at the scouting combine, Hood combines quickness, length and physicality. His press-man technique and willingness to tackle stand out, although McDonald wants to see expanded lateral agility and more consistency in man coverage. Still, Hood offers a competitive streak reminiscent of Carlton Davis and could develop into a high-end starter if he cleans up some technical concerns.) (3-27-26):  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/lsus-mansoor-delane-leads-group-of-top-8-dbs-in-2026-nfl-draft-class-insights-from-football-301-152913711.html

2026 NFL Draft Big Board: 5 Biggest Risers on Tony Pauline’s Post-Combine Update (Colton Hood/CB/Tennessee - Big Board Jump Since Last Update: 8 spots, from No. 29 to No. 21.  Hood, an underclassman, measured a solid six feet, 193 pounds, which is outstanding for a cornerback. He then timed 4.44 seconds in the 40 and touched 40.5 inches in the vertical jump during the combine.  More than solid testing numbers, he looked terrific in position drills, which matched the tape. Hood, who took over as CB1 at Tennessee after Jermod McCoy was sidelined all year with a knee injury, did a terrific job last season making plays with his back to the ball, which is an often-difficult and overlooked skill on the college level.  His hip quickness and flexibility during the combine makes me believe Hood can develop into a No. 1 cornerback on Sundays.) (3-10-26):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-two-thousand-twenty-six-nfl-draft-big-board-five-biggest-risers-on-tony-paulines-post-combine-update/

2026 NFL Draft Stock Report (Up - Colton Hood, WR, Tennessee:  Hood interviewed well at the NFL Scouting Combine, and that has continued the rising trend over the past few months. In speaking with some team sources, they think Hood could go late in the first round. Hood has a nice skill set, good tape, and plus character while playing a premium position. It sounds like he stands a very good chance of being selected on the opening night of the draft.) (3/10/26):  https://walterfootball.com/draft2026stock_27.php

2026 All-NFL Scouting Combine Team: Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love Wows (Cornerback: Colton Hood, Tennessee - It might be hard for the Tennessee standout to climb to the top of the charts, but Hood’s outstanding workout at the Combine will have defensive coordinators and defensive back coaches around the league clamoring for his services as a future CB1. The 6-foot, 193-pounder is an athletic freak (4.44-second 40-yard dash time; 40.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-5-inch broad jump) with a silky smooth game that jumps off the tape. Additionally, Hood is a high-IQ defender with a knack for diagnosing routes and making plays on the ball, utilizing various techniques. As a "plug-and-play" starter with an impressive resume that makes him a late first-round prospect, Hood’s impressive performance at the NFL’s premier showcase event could seal his spot as a Day 1 pick.) (3-6-26):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-scouting-combine-top-players

5 2026 NFL Combine Breakouts Who Are For Real — And 3 Who Aren’t (Fact: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood was arguably the top prospect at this year's Senior Bowl and he lived up to that billing in Mobile. At the NFL Combine, the former Volunteers cover-man jumped the fifth-best vertical jump among cornerbacks at 40.5 inches. Hood's 4.44 in the 40-yard dash was a stellar result for a corner with 6-0, 193-pound size.  Most notably, Hood ran the cleanest on-field gauntlet of any cornerback in attendance. He looked like a natural, showcasing how fluid and athletic he is when running and changing direction. Hood is a first-round cornerback.) (3-5-26): https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/news/10-players-who-moved-up-to-second-day-of-nfl-draft-with-combine-performance

Connor Rogers’ NFL Combine takeaways: Jeremiyah Love could go top five, Jets leaning Arvell Reese? (Cornerback Colton Hood didn’t start for Colorado in 2024, then exploded with a great season for Tennessee in 2025. Two things helped make that happen, with the first being getting to practice against multiple NFL wide receivers in the Colorado program last year. The second is his extensive preparation.  Every Sunday he would get cut ups of the receivers for that week’s opponent, notably their releases against press man coverage. On Tuesdays he would watch their targeting tendencies for first and second downs. On Wednesdays he would do the same thing for third downs. Thursdays would be to study their red zone offense. After all of that, he would revisit releases, routes and tendencies on Fridays. It’s no surprise he looked calm, comfortable and locked in on game days.) (3-2-26):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/news/connor-rogers-nfl-combine-takeaways-jeremiyah-love-could-go-top-five-jets-leaning-arvell-reese

All-Combine Team Defense: Who rocked Indy? Best NFL fits? (Colton Hood Tennessee - Best team fits: Green Bay Packers, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams.  Get to know Colton Hood, folks, because this kid is a player. Though he only just finished his redshirt sophomore year (after a journey that took him through Auburn, Colorado and Tennessee), Hood looks very prepared to make the leap to the pro level. He earned a Next Gen Stats athleticism score of 82 thanks to a 4.44 40-yard dash, a 10-foot-5 broad jump and a 40.5-inch vertical jump. That blend of athleticism portends a successful NFL career. It also adds up to a 14% chance of making a Pro Bowl, per Next Gen Stats, the second-highest mark in the cornerback class -- and it was plenty easy to envision that future when watching Hood work through the drills on Friday. He displayed natural athleticism in a backpedal-and-transition drill when he made a leaping grab after a long, retreating run, crashed to the turf and held onto the ball. He was fearless, attacking fastball-like passes and snagging them with ease. He produced arguably the best rep of any corner in the box drill, thanks to efficient, explosive footwork. And he made inertia look like a myth with how quickly he was able to change direction without slowing his rhythm. He's built for the NFL and should make a team happy when he's selected in April.) (3-2-26):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2026-all-combine-team-defense-nfl-draft

2026 NFL Combine Day 2 Winners: Malik Muhammad, Colton Hood Among Biggest Risers (Colton Hood/CB/Tennessee:  Projected as a possible first-round pick after the season, Hood’s testing marks were solid. He timed 4.44 seconds in the 40, touched 40.5 inches in the vertical jump, and reached 10-foot-5 in the broad jump. Yet his performance in the position drills was outstanding and arguably the best at the cornerback position. His footwork in reverse was super quick, and Hood was always in balance. Hood displayed an explosive burst to the ball and great hands for the interception. After struggling at times during Senior Bowl practices, Hood righted the ship and gave scouts another reason to believe he’s top-32 material.) (2-28-26):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-twenty-twenty-six-nfl-combine-day-two-winners-malik-muhammad-colton-hood-among-biggest-risers/

2026 NFL combine DB workouts: Top prospect grades and biggest risers (Colton Hood - Measurables: 5-foot-11⅝, 193 pounds, 9-inch hands, 31⅜-inch arm length, 74⅞-inch wingspan.  Testing: 4.44-second 40-yard dash, 1.58-second 10-yard split, 40.5-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-5 broad jump.  "I think I'm the best corner in this class," Colton Hood said Thursday, via The Draft Network. He backed up that claim among the cornerbacks who completed all testing and on-field drills Friday. Hood's agility flashed in the backpedal and break drill, and he possesses an ideal build for an NFL cornerback, measuring nearly six feet tall with 4.4 speed at over 190 pounds. Mike Renner's combine grade: B. Renner's scouting take His 40 time was slower than anticipated, but the jumps were solid. A few other corners looked cleaner during on-field drills, and Hood didn't do enough to move closer to the top tier of corners in the class.) (2-28-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-combine-2026-db-grades-biggest-risers/

Best NFL combine workouts, draft risers: The top performances and prospects from Day 2 (How did other top prospects look on Day 2? Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  Hood entered the combine building off a strong Senior Bowl week. He has first-round measurables and added first-round numbers in the 40 (4.44 seconds), vertical jump (40½ inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). Hood is a press-man coverage cornerback at 6 feet and 193 pounds with the broad shoulders to stack up receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is in the mix to be the third cornerback off the board and could land as a top-20 selection. -- Miller) (2-28-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47978529/2026-nfl-combine-top-draft-prospects-workouts-risers-40-every-position

2026 NFL Combine Stock Report – Cornerbacks (Up - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  Colton Hood impressed at the combine, which he needed to do because he’s a 26-year-old prospect. He was another cornerback who impressed in the on-field drills. He also did well in the vertical with a 40.5, and the 40 with a Moses Malone 4.44.) (2-27-26):  https://walterfootball.com/combine2026stockCB.php

10 Most Intriguing Defensive Back Prospects at NFL Scouting Combine (8. Tennessee CB Colton Hood:  Hood certainly doesn't lack confidence. He proclaimed himself "the best corner in the class, honestly" during his media session this week in Indianapolis.  That remains to be seen, but Hood will have a chance to show how he stacks up with his peers Friday.  Hood played at three schools the last three seasons, bouncing from Auburn to Colorado to Tennessee. Over the last two years, he totaled 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (including one returned for a TD), 14 passes defended and a forced fumble. Kiper ranks him the No. 5 cornerback in this draft class.) (2-27-26):  https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/news/10-most-intriguing-defensive-back-prospects-at-2026-nfl-scouting-combine

NFL Combine Sights and Sounds Day 3: Steak ‘n Shake, Ponds and Cornerback Depth (Plenty of depth at cornerback this year.  I got my steps in walking back and forth to hear from the top cornerbacks in the NFL draft. LSU’s Mansoor Delane, Clemson’s Avieon Terrell and Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood all spoke at the same time during the 9 a.m. ET podium session on Thursday. Obviously, all of them were asked to explain why they’re the best cornerback in the draft. Hood provided an example of his competitiveness, saying he asked to defend Tetairoa McMillan in his first collegiate start. Hood claims he got the best of the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year that day.   “I’m not worried about speed,” Hood said. “I’m fast myself and I’m never concerned at all [about what receivers do on the field].”) (2-26-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/nfl-combine-sights-sounds-day-3-steak-n-shake-ponds-cornerback-depth

2026 NFL Draft DB Rankings: Big Board, Tiers & Predictions (5. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  Colton Hood is still developing coverage instincts, but his athleticism is truly off the charts. Hood approaches every rep with physicality and confidence. The Tennessee cornerback displays terrific lateral explosion on tape, consistently staying in-phase while playing physical man coverage.) (2-25-26):  https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/onsi/rumors/2026-nfl-draft-db-rankings-big-board-tiers-predictions

5 players to watch at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine (And on the latter, both Purdue S Dillon Thieneman and Tennessee CB Colton Hood can make a move within the top 50 or so.) (2-24-26):  https://www.thebiglead.com/5-players-to-watch-at-the-2026-nfl-scouting-combine/

2026 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects at the Scouting Combine (23. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  Hood travels as well in the hip pocket of receivers as he does in the transfer portal, bouncing from Auburn to Colorado to Tennessee over the past three years before entering the draft at just 20 years old. He is an easy mover with impressive awareness of the ball and in run support, as well as a legitimate playmaker with touchdowns scored via interception and fumble recoveries.) (2-23-26):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-top-50-prospects-scouting-combine

Bish & Brown: Colton Hood vs. OT at Pick 17 – Detroit Lions Podcast (Press Corner Case: Colton Wood at No. 17 - Colton Wood drew early attention. Scott called him a stylistic match for the Lions. Press traits. Physical hands. A willingness to tackle. He steps up and hits. The profile checks out. At six foot and around 195, he looks built for press man. He anticipates routes in off coverage. He stacked a strong Senior Bowl week. The questions are clear. How does his long speed hold when asked to recover? Can he stay clean at the line and finish reps downfield? If the Lions want to roll with press outside, Wood is one of the class options they would stare at.  Scott also left the door open for a different DB at 17. A possible safety, or a very aggressive slot corner, could still drive how this defense operates. That aligns with how they want to play. It would not be tackle or edge, but it would fit the identity.) (2-21-26):  https://www.detroitlionspodcast.com/christopher/2026/02/21/bish-brown-colton-wood-vs-ot-at-pick-17-detroit-lions-podcast/

2026 NFL Draft: Top 5 prospects at each defensive position (Corner - 4. Colton Hood:  It's unfortunate we were robbed of what could've been an all-time cornerback duo. You'll notice two Volunteers on this list, but we never got to see Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood on the field together this fall, as McCoy never returned from last year's ACL tear. They have a good chance to become the first pair of teammate cornerbacks to both go Round 1 since Ohio State's Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette in 2020. McCoy's sophomore tape was nothing short of elite, as he checks every physical box you could want. Hood had a breakout junior year this past fall after transferring from Colorado. He has some of the best pure speed in the entire class.) (2-19-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-2026-combine-defensive-rankings-top-5-by-position/

2026 Combine preview: Cornerback (4. Colton Hood, Tennessee, 5-11, 188.  Hood checks the boxes in terms of his ability to play press man and zone coverage, but the most impressive aspect of his game might be his physicality in the run game. Coaches are going to love that about him. Hood is a player with a lot of upside.) (2-19-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2026-combine-preview-cornerback-delane-mccoy-terrell

Scouts dish on Senior Bowl standouts: Could Nussmeier climb? (Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee - CBS Sports Ranking: No. 56.  What they're saying: "Highly competitive kid. Moves well and had a productive week. Did a good job in the interviews.") (2-4-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2026-nfl-draft-players-climbing-draft-boards-after-senior-bowl/

2026 NFL Draft prospects: Top 10 players on defense (5. Colton Hood, Tennessee:  The title of third-best cornerback is close between this trio. Hood had more of the spotlight with McCoy out in 2025 and thrived in zone schemes, especially Cover 2 concepts. His prototypical frame and physicality complements his explosive athleticism.) (1-30-26):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/01/30/2026-nfl-draft-top-10-rankings-defense/88403594007/

Shrine & Senior Bowl Biggest Winners/Losers on Defense (Loser- Colton Hood/Tennessee: Hood projects as a first-round pick, but struggled during Senior Bowl practice from the very first day. Early in the opening practice, Hood was beaten badly by Tyren Montgomery, the small school receiver from Division II John Carroll, which drew a loud reaction from scouts. Hood rebounded after that day one blunder, but did not look like a first-round cornerback.) (2-2-26):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-defensive-winers-losers-from-the-senior-bowl-and-shrine-bowl/

Senior Bowl 2026 practice standouts: Top performers at every position in NFL Draft showcase (CB: Colton Hood - Draft projection: Round 1. Hood practiced for two days and, aside from a hiccup against Tyren Montgomery in one-on-one drills, looked exactly like the player evaluators expected: a 6-foot, 188-pound corner who is big for his position, fast and sticky with long limbs.) (1-30-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/senior-bowl-standouts-2026-nfl-draft-top-performers-every-position/

Tennessee Vols star confirms all the hype as he’s impressing NFL Draft scouts at the Senior Bowl (1-29-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/tennessee-vols-star-confirms-hype-impressing-nfl-draft-scout-senior-bowl-colton-hood-jermod-mccoy-josh-heupel/

Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects (Cornerback Colton Hood (Tennessee) didn't participate in practice for the National team because of a toe injury, per source. My highest-rated prospect at this year's event, Hood showed during the first two days why he's projected as one of the top corner prospects in the draft. His poise and patience in press coverage were constant, and he also made plenty of plays on the ball. Hood cemented himself as a Round 1 player this week.) (1-29-25):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47735737/senior-bowl-2026-nfl-draft-best-prospects-quarterbacks-nuggets

2026 Senior Bowl Practice Observations: Caleb Banks, T.J. Parker Take Field in Mobile (Colton Hood, CB, National - Day 1 Update.  Few CBs had more combined highs and lows than Colton Hood on Day 1. His best was brilliant; toward the end of practice, he locked down Hudson in press coverage on a vertical route, keeping patience at the line, maintaining angle discipline on his carry, and squeezing Hudson against the sideline while playing the ball.  The lows, however, were just as extreme. Hood was outmuscled for a 50-50 ball by Cameron earlier in the day, and his route break response and deceleration overtop comebacks proved inconsistent. Boiling it into a word, Hood needs more situational discipline, but the astronomical ceiling is ever apparent.) (1-28-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/senior-bowl-practice-observations-day-1-2026/

2026 NFL Draft Intel: Jermod McCoy’s medicals, the truth about Colton Hood, an FCS darling, and Mansoor Delane’s lone concern (Colton Hood (Tennessee):  While McCoy was limited by injury this past season, it allowed Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood to become a breakout star in the SEC. The nephew of former NFL defensive back Roderick Hood, you can tell the former Vols defender has been extremely well coached.  The redshirt sophomore is one of the very best press-man cornerbacks in the 2026 class. His combination of technique and physicality is extremely impressive.  If you frequent mock drafts this time of the year, there’s a good chance that you will see Hood’s name somewhere in the first round. Widely appreciated from the media and fan perspective, it sounds like that appreciation might not be quite as high in league circles. In fact, there are a couple of teams that are much lower on the 6-0, 195-pound cover man.) (1-28-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2026-nfl-draft-intel-cornerback-class-jermod-mccoy-colton-hood-mansoor-delane-dangelo-ponds-will-lee-iii/

Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects (Day 1 standout prospects - Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  All eyes were on Hood, my top-ranked player at the Senior Bowl, and he stepped up Tuesday. He showed patience and confidence in one-on-one settings, turning and running with opposing receivers with ease while not being beaten once. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior was my No. 18-ranked player entering the week and solidified his status as the best player in Mobile throughout position drills and team settings. The Buccaneers, Jets and Lions all look like strong landing spots for him in the middle of Round 1. -- Miller) (1-27-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47735737/senior-bowl-2026-nfl-draft-best-prospects-quarterbacks-nuggets

ESPN Draft Expert Matt Miller Says That Former Vol Colton Hood Is His Top Prospect at the Senior Bowl (1-27-26):  https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2026/01/27/espn-draft-expert-says-that-this-former-vol-colton-hood-is-his-top-prospect-at-the-senior-bowl/

Panini Senior Bowl Watchlist: 5 2026 NFL Draft prospects to monitor (CB Colton Hood, Tennessee:  Hood became Tennessee’s top cornerback this year with Jermod McCoy missing the entire season due to a torn ACL that he suffered last January. And the Colorado transfer more than filled his big shoes. The projected first-round pick’s 80.3 PFF coverage grade was sixth among SEC corners, as he broke up five passes with an interception. He has great tools that can solidify him as a Day 1 player in Mobile.) (1-27-26):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-panini-senior-bowl-watchlist-5-2026-nfl-draft-prospects-to-monitor

Senior Bowl 2026 CB/SAF Primer (Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee:  NFL scouts are projecting Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood to be a first-round pick. Hood possesses ideal size for the position. The Volunteers' standout plays with confidence and aggression when aligned in man coverage. He's explosive, making it difficult for wide receivers to create separation. He should thrive in one-on-ones.) (1-23-26):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/23/senior-bowl-2026-cb-saf-primer-roster


Top 10 2026 NFL Draft CB Rankings Headlined By Multiple SEC Cornerbacks (4. Colton Hood, Tennessee:  Colton Hood quietly emerged as one of the more reliable defensive backs in the 2026 NFL Draft conversation after being thrust into a larger role at Tennessee. With Jermod McCoy sidelined, Hood was asked to step up against SEC competition immediately following his transfer from Colorado.  Hood’s game is built on sound fundamentals. He plays with disciplined footwork in his backpedal, transitions smoothly out of breaks, and is rarely caught out of phase in coverage. In both man and zone, he shows a firm grasp of leverage and positioning, allowing him to stay connected to receivers without relying on panic speed.) (1-14-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-10-2026-nfl-draft-cb-rankings/


Music City Bowl NFL Prospects: Tony Pauline Identifies Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II as Jets’ Top Target (Colorado transfer Colton Hood stepped up in the absence of McCoy and elevated his game to heights few thought possible. He possesses terrific size, has a physical nature to his game, and is developing his ball skills. There’s a bit of risk drafting Hood in the first round, as there will be bumps in the road while he polishes his game. I was told weeks ago that the redshirt sophomore will enter the draft. With teams such as the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams selecting in the late part of round one, teams that both need cornerbacks, it’s unlikely Hood slides past the initial 32 picks.) (12-26-25):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/ncaa-college-football-news-flagship-music-city-bowl-nfl-prospects-tony-pauline-identifies-tennessees-chris-brazzell-ii-as-jets-top-target/


Where five Tennessee players are ranked on Mel Kiper Jr.'s NFL Draft Big Board (Colton Hood is ranked by Kiper as the No. 6 corner.  Colton Hood had breakout season out of NCAA Transfer Portal - Hood helped replace the loss of both McCoy and Rickey Gibson at corner. The Colorado transfer had 50 tackles, eight passes defended and two defensive touchdowns, taking an interception back for a score and returning a fumble for a touchdown.) (12-14-25):  https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/tennessee-vols-football-players-espn-nfl-draft-big-board-jermod-mccoy/

2026 NFL Draft Defensive Back Rankings: Ohio State’s Caleb Downs Beats LSU’s Mansoor Delane for the Top Spot (Colton Hood/Tennessee: Hood is another corner who is a little shy of the six-foot mark, yet he’s a competitive defensive back who displayed consistent progress in his game. He, too, has good bloodlines, as Hood’s father, Roderick, played in the NFL for almost a dozen years.  Starting his college career at Auburn before moving to Colorado, Hood settled at Tennessee this season, and his game has taken off. He’s an aggressive corner who mixes it up with receivers throughout the route and plays with quickness and fluidity. Best facing the action, Hood is a terrific fit for a team that consistently employs zone coverage. Recent word is that Hood will enter the 2026 NFL Draft.) (12-12-25):  https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-flagship-twenty-twenty-six-nfl-draft-defensive-back-rankings-ohio-states-caleb-downs-beats-lsus-mansoor-delane-for-the-top-spot/

PFF 2025 All-SEC Team: Diego Pavia, Mansoor Delane and more (CB: Colton Hood, Tennessee) (12-10-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/pff-2025-all-sec-team-diego-pavia-mansoor-delane-and-more

Seven Vols earn All-SEC honors from league’s coaches (Cornerbacks Colton Hood and Ty Redmond made the third team.  Hood and Redmond filled in nicely with Tennessee getting just 19 combined snaps out of the returning cornerback tandem of Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III due to injury.  A transfer from Colorado, Hood totaled 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups and scored two of Tennessee’s six defensive touchdowns with a scoop-and-score fumble return against Syracuse and a pick-six against Mississippi State. His eight pass breakups were top 10 in the SEC. Hood also was excellent in coverage, his 83.3 Pro Football Focus coverage grade ranking second among SEC cornerbacks and 18th in the FBS (minimum 300 coverage snaps).) (12-9-25):  https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/article/tennessee-vols-football-2025-coaches-all-sec-team-chris-brazzell-arion-carter-desean-bishop-josh-turbyville-lance-heard-colton-hood-ty-redmond-265691783/

Updated 2026 NFL Draft big board for the end of the CFB regular season (37. Colton Hood CB Tennessee) (12-2-25):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/12/02/2026-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-big-board-update/87554292007/

2026 NFL Draft Rankings: Cornerbacks (6. Colton Hood, Tennessee Volunteers - Big board rank: 34) (12-1-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2026-nfl-draft-cornerback-rankings

2026 NFL draft questions: Top prospects, QB class, risers (Why is the race for CB1 a little more complicated than normal?  Kiper: Well, the top CB hasn't played a snap all season. Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) is No. 16 on my Big Board, but he tore his ACL in January and might miss the whole season. NFL teams will love his ball-hawking traits (four INTs in 2024), but they will obviously be looking closely at those medicals and have to weigh a full year off the football field.  Behind him, things don't get any clearer. Avieon Terrell (Clemson) is solid but hasn't picked off any passes this season. Kelley Jones (Mississippi State) shows a veru good feel for coverage, but he's a third-year sophomore, so teams haven't done a ton of work on him yet. Mansoor Delane (LSU) makes plays on the ball with six INTs and 17 pass breakups over the past two seasons, but there are questions about his true speed. Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) has had a few hiccups in coverage. Simply put, no one looks elite.  Day 1 might be tough to sort out at the position, but the Day 2 guys have some upside. There's a bunch of names there, but Colton Hood (Tennessee) and D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana) could be immediate impact players.) (12-1-25):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/47097046/2026-nfl-draft-questions-top-prospects-qb-class-risers

Colton Hood NFL Draft Profile: Week 13 Scouting Report for the Tennessee Cornerback (11-22-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/colton-hood-nfl-draft-week-13-2025/

College Football Week 12: Team of the Week, Player Awards (SEC Team of the Week - CB: Colton Hood, Tennessee) (11-16-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-12-team-of-the-week-player-awards-2025

Colton Hood NFL Draft Profile: Week 12 Scouting Report for the Tennessee Cornerback (11-15-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/colton-hood-nfl-draft-week-12-2025/

2026 NFL Draft: Midseason prospect big board top 50 (38. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee) (11-10-25):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/11/10/2026-nfl-draft-midseason-prospect-big-board-top-50/87143496007/

Why Colton Hood is not surprised by his emergence as Tennessee star, rise up NFL Draft boards (11-10-25):  https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/article/colton-hood-why-tennessee-vols-cornerback-is-not-surprised-by-emergence-as-star-rise-up-nfl-draft-boards-260957825/

Colton Hood NFL Draft Profile: Week 11 Scouting Report for the Tennessee Cornerback (11-8-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/colton-hood-nfl-draft-week-11-2025/

Colton Hood NFL Draft Profile: Week 10 Scouting Report for the Tennessee Cornerback (11-1-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/colton-hood-nfl-draft-week-10-2025/

Star Tennessee CB Colton Hood Off Injury Report, Good To Go Against Oklahoma (10-29-25):  https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2025/10/29/star-tennessee-cb-colton-hood-off-injury-report-good-to-go-against-oklahoma/

There’s concern that the Tennessee Vols could be without Hood against the Oklahoma Sooners (10-27-25):  https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/theres-concern-that-the-tennessee-vols-could-key-starter-against-oklahoma-sooners/
      
2026 NFL Draft Risers: 8 Prospects Helping Their Stock, Including Dante Moore, Arvell Reese (Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee: Tennessee has been missing star cornerback Jermod McCoy so far this season. Though he’s a potential first-round pick in his own right, his absence has really allowed Colton Hood to shine. The transfer cornerback, who spent 2024 at Colorado and 2023 at Auburn, leads the SEC with seven pass deflections as of this writing. He’s slowly but surely working his way into becoming one of the top corner prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Hood is a physical perimeter cornerback with a well-built frame at 6’0″ and 195 pounds. He maintains ideal hand activity in man coverage, competing to jam receivers near the line of scrimmage and sticking inside the receiver’s hip pocket through their stems. That physicality translates to his work as a tackler, where he demonstrates a high motor at the point of contact with good play strength to wrap up and bring down the ball-carrier. In addition to his physicality, Hood plays with an aggressive mentality, attacking the ball in coverage. He processes well in underneath zone coverage, and he times his jump on a route well to get out in front and make a play on the ball. There are some instances when he’s a split second too late to process in off coverage, but when he’s closer to the line of scrimmage, he’s very tough to beat.) (10-24-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2026-nfl-draft-biggest-risers/

Colton Hood NFL Draft Profile: Week 9 Scouting Report for the Tennessee Cornerback (10-24-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/colton-hood-nfl-draft-week-9-2025/

SEC team says Tennessee Vols cornerback Colton Hood is the best defensive back they've seen in 2025 (10-16-25):  https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/sec-team-says-tennessee-vols-cornerback-colton-hood-is-the-best-defensive-back-theye-seen-in-2025/

Tennessee Vols cornerback Colton Hood wasn’t named to The Athletic’s midseason All-Transfer Portal team (10-16-25):  https://atozsports.com/nashville/volunteers/tennessee-vols-cornerback-colton-hood-named-the-athletic-mid-season-all-transfer-portal-team/

PFSN Midseason All-SEC Football Team Headlined by Ty Simpson, Mansoor Delane (CB: Colton Hood, Tennessee) (10-14-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cfb/pfsn-midseason-all-sec-football-team/

PFSN Midseason All-America College Football Team Includes Jayden Maiava, David Bailey (CB: Colton Hood, Tennessee) (10-13-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cfb/midseason-all-america-team-2025/


Colton Hood a 'Transfer Portal Surprise' for the Tennessee Volunteers (9-25-25):  https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/colton-hood-a-transfer-portal-surprise-for-the-tennessee-volunteers-01k60pfspaar


Pair of Tennessee football standouts earn recognition from the SEC (SEC Defensive Player of the Week - Cornerback Colton Hood:  Hood made a loud entrance to his time as a Vol, putting forth a clinic on how to cover receivers at a premier level in this game that generated excitement about the future of the position.  He would go on to finish with four tackles, three pass breakups, and a fumble return for a touchdown against the ACC opponent.  With Rickey Gibson now expected to be sidelines for an extended period of time according to Josh Heupel, Hood will be asked to step up again in a cornerback room with a couple of players sidelined.) (9-1-25):  https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/pair-of-tennessee-football-standouts-earn-recognition-from-the-sec-01k432jtf8mn

GoVols247's Game Balls: Tennessee 45, Syracuse 26 (DEFENSIVE GAME BALLS - Colton Hood:  The Colorado transfer was Tennessee's second-highest ranked defensive player against Syracuse. Hood capitalized on a Syracuse fumble with 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter of his Tennessee debut, scooping his first career fumble recovery and returning it 22-yards for a touchdown. The cornerback added four tackles and three pass breakups while playing 86 of the 90 defensive snaps.  "Colton's come in, he's handled himself with great maturity, blended into the fabric of the culture of our football team extremely quickly," Heupel said. "He's smart. He's competitive. Cares about the people around him. Great teammate. It was great to see him go out there and obviously make a huge play in the football game but play well throughout the course of it.") (8-31-25):  https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/longformarticle/game-balls-syracuse-orange-tennessee-volunteers-football-josh-heupel-joey-aguilar-braylon-staley-desean-bishop-star-thomas-colton-hood-nathan-robinson-ty-redmond-253275152/#2694357

PFF Grades: Tennessee vs. Syracuse (CB Colton Hood — 75.4 (86 plays).  Colton Hood was fantastic too and his coverage grade was even better than Redmond. A bad run defense and tackling grade took Hood down a notch.) (8-31-25):  https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/08/30/colton-hood-tennessee-football-syracuse-jermod-mccoy/85783855007/

Colton Hood shows he's a good problem for Tennesse football to have when Jermod McCoy returns (Hood had three pass breakups in his debut, while affecting multiple other throws from Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli. He had four tackles. He pounced on an Angeli fumble in the first quarter, racing for a 22-yard touchdown to put Tennessee ahead 17-0.) (8-30-25):  https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2025/08/30/colton-hood-tennessee-football-syracuse-jermod-mccoy/85783855007/

Tennessee DB Colton Hood Receives Praise From Defensive Backs Coach Willie Martinez (8-12-25):  https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/tennessee-db-colton-hood-receives-praise-from-defensive-backs-coach-willie-martinez-01k2fer46de2



Former Colorado Buffaloes Colton Hood, Trevor Woods Find New Homes In Transfer Portal (5-3-25):  https://www.si.com/college/colorado/football/colorado-buffaloes-colton-hood-trevor-woods-new-homes-transfer-portal-deion-sanders-robert-livingston

Posted by LionsFan at 4:59 PM

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