Colton Hood, a standout cornerback for the Tennessee Vols, is making headlines at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he chose not to delve into comparisons between his current coach, Josh Heupel, and his former mentor, Deion Sanders, Hood's comments highlighted his appreciation for Heupel's player-focused approach.
"I won't really get into the differences," Hood stated. "At Tennessee, Coach Heupel definitely cared about his players.
He did his best to keep us healthy and ready for game day. He's a great coach, a real players' coach, and I love him for that."
Hood's journey to Knoxville has been marked by impressive achievements. He shined in the SEC, earning Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after a stellar performance against Syracuse.
His stats tell the story: 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, eight pass deflections, and a pick-six. As a result, he's climbing draft boards and is projected as a solid first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially the highest former Colorado cornerback selected since Travis Hunter's No. 2 overall pick last year.
Reflecting on his time at Colorado, Hood acknowledged the valuable experience gained from competing against top-tier talent like Hunter and the Buffaloes' strong receiver group. However, his reluctance to discuss Sanders directly hints at possible unresolved issues as Colorado faces a pivotal season under Coach Prime.
Hood's college career began at Colorado, where he played in all 13 games during the Buffaloes' 9-4 season in 2024. He recorded 24 tackles, six pass breakups, and two interceptions.
Following the season, Hood was among over 30 players who entered the transfer portal, signaling a shift as the program moved "in a different direction," as he mentioned on social media. His brother, Brandon, and cousin, Trent, also transferred at the same time.
Seeking tougher competition and a shot at the College Football Playoff, Hood made the move to Tennessee. The Vols finished 8-5 in 2025, outpacing Colorado's 3-9 record, and Hood's decision seems to have paid off.
As he prepares to showcase his talents at the NFL Combine, all eyes are on Hood to see how he performs on the big stage.