Colton Hood came into the 2025 season with something to prove-and he delivered in a big way. After Tennessee lost standout cornerback Jermod McCoy to an ACL tear last winter, the Vols needed someone to step into a major role in the secondary. Hood, a transfer from Auburn, didn’t just fill that void-he turned it into an opportunity to launch himself into NFL Draft conversations.
By the end of the season, Hood had racked up 50 tackles, eight passes defended, one interception, and a forced fumble. That stat line only tells part of the story.
What really stood out was how consistently he matched up against top SEC receivers and held his own. His physicality at the line of scrimmage, ability to mirror routes, and knack for finding the football in the air made him a cornerstone of Tennessee’s defense.
Now, at the Senior Bowl, Hood is proving that his breakout season wasn’t a fluke-it was just the beginning. CBS Sports called him “the cream of the crop” among defensive backs heading into the week, and Hood has backed that up with a strong showing in Mobile. While he hasn’t generated quite the same buzz as, say, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, he’s done exactly what scouts hoped: hold his own against the best wide receiver prospects in the country.
And let’s be clear-these aren’t just routine reps. Hood is lining up across from future NFL starters and showing why he belongs in the same conversation.
Whether it’s staying glued to a receiver’s hip pocket on a go route or using his length and timing to disrupt passes at the catch point, Hood is checking boxes that NFL teams care about. He’s patient at the line of scrimmage, confident in man coverage, and has the footwork to stay in phase throughout the route.
That’s the kind of skill set that gets you on a team’s draft board-and keeps you there.
Scouts are taking notice. ESPN currently ranks Hood as the No. 35 overall prospect and the No. 6 cornerback in the draft.
Pro Football Focus is even higher on him, slotting him at No. 29 overall and No. 4 among corners. That puts him firmly in the late-first to early-second round conversation, and if he closes out the Senior Bowl week strong, don’t be surprised if he climbs even higher.
What’s particularly intriguing about Hood is his ability to thrive in man coverage. He has the size and physicality to press at the line, and he’s comfortable playing on an island-something that’s becoming more and more valuable in today’s NFL. Teams looking for a corner who can match up with big-bodied receivers and still have the quickness to handle shiftier slot guys are going to like what they see.
The buzz around Hood isn’t just coming from analysts and draftniks. Social media clips from practice are making the rounds, and the tape backs up the hype.
He’s sticking with receivers down the sideline, breaking up passes, and showing the kind of polish that suggests he’s ready to contribute early at the next level. That’s not easy to do in an all-star setting where chemistry and scheme familiarity are minimal.
Tennessee could be looking at a banner year in the NFL Draft. Jermod McCoy, despite the injury, is still a near-lock for the first round.
Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II has also drawn early-round interest. Add Hood to that mix, and the Vols are poised to have three players taken on Day 1-a testament to the talent that’s been developing in Knoxville.
For Colton Hood, the journey from transfer hopeful to potential first-round pick has been swift, but it hasn’t been accidental. He’s earned every bit of this rise with his play, his preparation, and his ability to seize the moment.
Come April, don’t be surprised if his name is called earlier than expected. NFL teams are always looking for corners who can cover-and Hood has shown he can do just that, at a high level.