FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Colton Hood
Colton Hood (CB – Tennessee)
6’0″ – 195 lbs.
Background
Four-star recruit who originally attended to Auburn, where he redshirted in 2023 before transferring to Colorado for the 2024 season. Started one of thirteen games played that year, rotating in pretty heavily and finishing with 24 tackles, six breakups, and two interceptions before transferring to Tennessee. Became a full-time starter in 2025, finishing with 50 tackles, eight breakups, a pick-six, and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
Positives
Tall, long-limbed cornerback who stepped right into a starting role in the SEC and played well. Typically lines up either in press-man or off/zone looks, and was not limited to the field or boundary sides of the defense this past year. Shows nice patience and adequate/appropriate physicality from press, with good functional strength. Does a nice job of matching outside releases and using his length to pin opponents to the boundary when working down the sidelines. Uses his hands well to feel routes developing, allowing him to squeeze the stems. Looks sticky on in-breakers from off-coverage, avoiding drift at the top of the routes. Gets good depth as a zone defender to keep things in front of him, with an appropriately cautious approach and adequate balance in his backpedal. Able to get his head around and locate the ball when his back is turned. Overall ball skills are very good, with solid technique/timing to go for the breakup to complement his excellent length. Dynamic with the ball in his hands, with two touchdowns on four turnovers and a 42.7-yard interception return average. Was much more reliable as a tackler this past year. Attacks blocks with aggression and power.
Negatives
A good but not great athlete in terms of his overall speed, coordination, and quickness. Can get his hips opened early at the line of scrimmage when playing press against quicker receivers, forcing him into recovery mode. Balance can occasionally get sloppy at the stem, and has some bad habits, like turning around rather than into opponents. Doesn’t have elite burst when driving on a spot from off coverage. Significantly improved his tackling this past season, but missed over a third of his attempts in 2024, per PFF, and still lapses into hitting at times. Would like to see a bit more urgency in run support when there are teammates in the area.
Summary
A tall, long-limbed cornerback who uses his length well and can carry opposing receivers down the sidelines from press coverage or set over route combinations in off-zone, with impressive ball skills and significantly improved tackling this past season. Those traits could make him a starter in the league, although he can struggle at times when working against quicker, more sudden receivers. Has been getting some first-round hype, but may not be quite as well-rounded as some of the other guys in that mix, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he slipped into the second.
Projection: Round 2
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