Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood was selected No. 37 by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 24.
Hood played three college seasons at three different programs, improving his stock at each stop. He started his career at Auburn. He developed under Deion Sanders as Travis Hunter’s backup at Colorado. And he turned into an elite cornerback at Tennessee.
Here’s what Hood brings to the Giants based on his career with the Tennessee Vols.
What Colton Hood brings to New York Giants in 2026 NFL Draft
Hood showed promise at Colorado as the understudy of Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Then Hood transferred to Tennessee, where he filled the shoes of Jermod McCoy, who missed the 2025 season due to a knee injury. Hood made an immediate impact as a play-making cornerback who forced turnovers.
NFL scouts like Hood’s physical style of play and his coverage skills. He is a 6-foot, 193-pounder who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds at Tennessee’s pro day.
The only question is whether he’s elite at the pro level or a dependable complementary cornerback. Time will tell.
Colton Hood highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee
Hood likes the physicality of the game, which should serve him well in the NFL.
He doesn’t shy away from contact. He excels in press-man coverage. He plays a physical style against the run. And he’s dedicated himself to becoming a more fundamental tackler.
Hood has a nose for the football, demonstrated by his two defensive TDs in 2025.
There aren’t many negatives in the scouting report on Hood. He gets at least a B grade in virtually every category. The question is whether he’s an A.
Colton Hood stats with Tennessee, Colorado, Auburn
Hood played one season each at Auburn, Colorado and Tennessee. In 2025, he turned into an All-SEC performer and one of college football’s best cornerbacks while filling in for the injured McCoy.
Hood made three tackles in 2023 at Auburn, and he took a redshirt.
In 2024, he had 24 tackles, two interceptions, one tackle for loss and six pass breakups for Colorado. He played all 13 games with two starts and returned those two interceptions for 105 yards.
In 2025, Hood made 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, eight pass breakups and two defensive TDs. His 83.3 coverage grade by Pro Football Focus ranked second among SEC cornerbacks in the regular season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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