Colton Hood

NFL Draft Profile: Colton Hood

Position: Cornerback | School: Tennessee (via Colorado/Auburn) | Class: Junior (RS)

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 195 lbs | Archetype: Man / Zone Hybrid

College Career Summary

Colton Hood’s path to the NFL is a testament to the "transfer portal era" and the ability to adapt. He began at Auburn as a four-star recruit, redshirting in 2023. Seeking more playing time, he transferred to Colorado for the 2024 season, where he emerged as a reliable starter opposite Travis Hunter, recording 24 tackles and 2 interceptions.

In 2025, Hood made the leap back to the SEC, transferring to Tennessee. It was here that he truly "exploded" onto the national scene. Stepping up as the primary boundary corner when Jermod McCoy was sidelined, Hood led the SEC in pass deflections for much of the year. He finished his breakout 2025 campaign as a Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist and Second-Team All-SEC selection. Known for his "sticky" coverage and two defensive touchdowns (a pick-six and a fumble return), Hood enters the draft as one of the most productive playmakers in the country.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 29

• Total Tackles: 77 (50 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 5.5 (4.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 0.0

• Interceptions: 3 (1 in 2025)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 14 (8 in 2025)

• Defensive Touchdowns: 2 (Pick-six vs. Miss St; Fumble Return vs. Syracuse)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. Chattanooga	2 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Shut down his side; limited targets.
vs. NC State	3 Tkl, 2 PD	A-	Attributes. Physical jam at the line of scrimmage.
vs. Kent State	1 Tkl	B	Played limited snaps in a massive blowout.
@ Oklahoma	5 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Stamina. High snap count in a fast-paced game.
@ Arkansas	4 Tkl, 1 TFL	B	Solid in run support; one missed tackle late.
vs. Florida	4 Tkl, 2 PD	A-	Star Impact. Clamped down on vertical shots.
vs. Alabama	5 Tkl	B+	High-pressure environment; held up well against elite WRs.
vs. Kentucky	3 Tkl, 1 PD	B+	Technically sound; disciplined in Zone drops.
@ Miss. State	6 Tkl, 1 INT, 1 TD	A+	Elite Performance. Game-changing Pick-Six.
@ Georgia	7 Tkl, 1.5 TFL	A-	Competitor. Aggressively attacked the run game.
vs. UTEP	2 Tkl	B	Clean game; tested only once deep.
vs. Vanderbilt	4 Tkl, 1.0 TFL	B+	High Motor. Chased down a play from the backside.
vs. Syracuse (Bowl)	4 Tkl, 1 TD	A	Star. Fumble recovery touchdown capped the year.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Sticky Man Coverage: Hood is relentlessly "sticky." He has the Agility to mirror breaks effortlessly and rarely allows more than a yard of separation.

• Prototypical Size/Length: Meeting the 6'0" threshold, he uses his 32-inch arms to disrupt the "catch radius" of larger receivers.

• Ballhawk Instincts: He has a natural feel for the football. Between his pick-six and fumble return TD, he has proven that he doesn't just stop plays—he flips scoreboards.

• Mental Toughness: Thrived under the pressure of three different systems in three years. He showed no issues adjusting to the speed of the SEC.

Weaknesses

• Tackling Consistency: Despite being a willing tackler, he can be "grabby" or high with his contact, leading to broken tackles by powerful SEC backs.

• Physical Discipline: He can get overly aggressive in Press, occasionally drawing flags for holding or interference when a receiver gets a step on him.

• Functional Strength: Needs to add 5–10 lbs of muscle to handle the "bully" receivers of the NFL. He can be out-muscled on back-shoulder fades.

Scheme Fit: Ideal CB2 in a Man-Hvy or Match-Zone system (e.g., Cowboys, Eagles, or Dolphins).

NFL Comparison: Cam Smith (Dolphins) / Benjamin Morrison (Style)

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 18/20 | Athleticism: 18/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 90/100

Colton Hood is a "pure" coverage specialist who has finally found his home in a high-level defense. While he might not have the "shutdown" reputation of a top-5 pick yet, his 2025 tape is as clean as any corner in the class. He is a high-IQ defender who understands route concepts and plays with a chip on his shoulder. In a league desperate for corners who can play "on an island," Hood’s ability to transition and ball-track will make him a highly coveted asset.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round (Top 50)