Colton Hood
New York GiantsOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Colorado · Big 12
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | INT | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 197 |
| 2025 | 50 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 16 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Tennessee · 2026 draft class
Colton Hood has emerged as one of the SEC's most feared coverage specialists-a fluid, athletic cornerback with elite ball skills and 4.4 speed who transforms defenses. At 6'0", 195 pounds, Hood brings NFL bloodlines as the nephew of Roderick Hood, who played eight NFL seasons. His journey took him from Auburn as a freshman to Colorado under Deion Sanders, where he rotated with Heisman winner Travis Hunter in 2024, recording 24 tackles and two interceptions including a 59-yarder against Kansas State. The move to Tennessee for his redshirt sophomore season unleashed something special-through five games wearing orange, Hood allowed just four catches on 17 targets for 32 yards while scoring twice on defense. Against Arizona, he held Tetairoa McMillan (the eighth overall pick in 2025) to five catches for 38 yards. Hood showcases high-level understanding of man coverage techniques with patience and lateral explosion that let him thrive against different receiver styles. His closing and recovery speed deter quarterbacks from challenging him downfield. As a zone corner, he excels in Cover 2 where he can play closer to the line, carry receivers to different zones, and trigger quickly on underneath throws. The tools are undeniable-4.4 speed, fluid hips, ball production-making him a potential late first-round selection.
Strengths
- Elite 4.4 speed with fluid hips and ball production
- High-level man coverage understanding with patient technique
- Lateral explosion and agility to recover against different receiver styles
- Excellent closing and recovery speed deters deep challenges
- Excels in Cover 2 zone coverage triggering on underneath throws
- Held Tetairoa McMillan (future top-10 pick) to 5/38
- Allowed just 4 catches on 17 targets at Tennessee
- Two defensive touchdowns and impactful ball skills
- NFL bloodlines (nephew of Roderick Hood)
- Versatile scheme fit for zone-heavy defenses
Concerns
- Needs more functional strength against bigger physical receivers
- 36% missed tackle rate in 2024 per PFF raises concerns
- Wrap-up technique inconsistent with occasional overruns
- Can lose discipline with physicality risking penalties
- Three-school journey (Auburn-Colorado-Tennessee) concerns some teams
- Only started six college games total
- Inconsistency down the stretch at Tennessee
- Run support remains a weakness despite improvement
Honors
ESPN mock: #30 to Patriots; #7 CB in 2026 class; Auburn-Colorado-Tennessee transfer; NFL bloodlines