Entering the 2025 season, Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood carried a Day 3 draft grade on my board. That projection was largely due to his role in 2024, when he served as a backup at Colorado and saw limited playing time. Hood logged just 215 snaps in coverage with the Buffaloes, making him difficult to project beyond a developmental prospect. This season changed that narrative completely.
Despite his limited snaps in 2024, Hood flashed high-level traits when pressed into action. One of the clearest examples came against Arizona, where he held Tetairoa McMillan to five catches for 38 yards. McMillan later became the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and has already established himself as one of the league’s top rookies, making Hood’s performance in that matchup stand out even more in hindsight.
Breakout season cements Colton Hood as a rising draft prospect
Hood’s first season with Tennessee proved that performance was no fluke. He took over as the Vols’ top cornerback after Jermod McCoy went down with an injury and showed he was ready for the responsibility. Hood finished the season with 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and eight pass breakups. His eight pass breakups ranked eighth in the SEC, while his 83.3 coverage grade ranked second among all SEC cornerbacks this regular season, according to PFF.
Several traits explain why teams could consider Hood near the end of the first round. His ball skills immediately stand out. Over the past two seasons, he has totaled 14 pass breakups, and this year he returned his lone interception for a touchdown. His quick burst out of his backpedal allows him to close rapidly on throws and attack the catch point with confidence.
Hood also brings value as a press defender. At 6-foot and 195 pounds, he has the size and physicality to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. Combined with quick feet and strong mirror ability, he fits well in defenses that emphasize physical coverage and early route disruption, particularly press-based zone schemes such as Cover 2.
The biggest concern in Hood’s evaluation remains his play against the run. In 2024, he missed 36 percent of his tackles, according to PFF. While he showed significant improvement this season, missing just seven percent of his attempts, questions remain. Hood can struggle with consistent wrap-up technique and will occasionally play out of control downhill, leading to overruns. However, his improvement this year suggests this is an area that should continue to trend upward with better discipline.
A potential landing spot for Hood is the Seattle Seahawks late in the first round. Seattle is expected to face turnover at cornerback with several key players approaching free agency, and Hood’s physical style fits a defense that values challenging receivers both at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point.
Overall, Hood’s draft stock is clearly on the rise. His decision to transfer from Colorado to Tennessee paid off, and he has positioned himself as one of the more intriguing late first-round possibilities in this draft class.