Tennessee has bolstered its secondary with the addition of former Colorado cornerback Colton Hood, a promising defensive back with SEC experience and three seasons of eligibility remaining. Hood, who began his college career at Auburn in 2023, announced his commitment to the Volunteers shortly after a visit to Knoxville. He had drawn interest from several other programs, including Miami and Notre Dame, before choosing Tennessee.
Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 190 pounds, Hood brings both size and experience to the Vols’ defensive backfield. He played in all 13 games for Colorado during the 2024 season, earning valuable reps and making his first career start in a matchup against Arizona. In that game, he was tasked with covering standout wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who went on to be selected eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hood performed well under pressure, limiting McMillan to just one reception for 10 yards on five targets. He finished the game with three receptions allowed for 38 yards and an interception — an impressive showing for a young corner.
Across the 2024 season, Hood totaled 24 tackles, one tackle for loss, six pass breakups, and two interceptions. His performance earned him a 68.8 defensive grade and a 70.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, reflecting his reliability and consistency in coverage. While he spent some time playing in the slot, Hood primarily lined up as an outside corner, which is likely where he’ll compete for playing time at Tennessee.
Originally a 4-star recruit out of Georgia in the 2023 class, Hood did not receive an offer from Tennessee out of high school. However, head coach Josh Heupel and his staff made Hood a priority during the spring transfer window, moving quickly to secure his commitment once he entered the portal. His visit to Knoxville just a day before his announcement played a key role in sealing the deal.
Hood becomes Tennessee’s seventh known transfer addition of the offseason, but notably the first defensive back to join the program through the portal. The Vols also welcomed four freshman defensive backs in this year’s recruiting class, giving them a mix of youth and experience heading into the 2025 season.
The addition of Hood comes at a crucial time for Tennessee, as projected starting corner Jermod McCoy is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in January. While McCoy and fellow starter Rickey Gibson III return from last year’s unit, McCoy’s injury created an urgent need for reinforcements in the secondary. Hood’s experience and performance at Colorado suggest he could step in and contribute immediately while McCoy works his way back to full health.
For Tennessee, the pickup of Colton Hood adds depth, competition, and valuable experience to a position of need — strengthening the Volunteers’ defense as they gear up for another run in the competitive SEC. Hood will look to make an early impact and solidify his role in a retooled second
ary in 2025.
