We continue our 2026 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
Colton Hood
CB
Tennessee Volunteers
Junior
3-star recruit
6’0”
195 lbs
History
In his first year of college in 2023 at Auburn, Hood was a developmental corner who preserved eligibility while getting his feet wet. He appeared in four games but ended up taking a redshirt while he adjusted to SEC speed and technique demands.
For his second year, Hood transferred to Colorado
and this was the breakout year in terms of real defensive snaps and ball production. He featured in 13 games making 24 tackles, and two interceptions, and he also contributed on kick returns. He had two standout moments that season with a pick return against Kansas State, and a big performance in his first career start against Arizona where he snagged an interception and kept Tetairoa McMillan relatively quiet statistically.
In his third year he transferred to Tennessee and this is when he became a true SEC-level name and award winner. He played 12 games with 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, one interception for 23 yards and a touchdown. His signature moment came immediately in the opener versus Syracuse where he was credited with three pass breakups plus a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Midseason, he was among the SEC leaders in pass breakups, with a season line that included tackles for loss, an interception, and two defensive scores.
2025 Statistics
774 Defensive Snaps
50 Total Tackles
5 Tackles for Loss
8 Pass Breakups
1 Interceptions
1 INT TD
1 Forced Fumble
1 Fumble Recovery
1 Fumble TD
4 Missed Tackles
53% Reception Percentage Allowed
1 TD Allowed
70.8 Passer Rating Allowed
4 Penalties
Snap by Postion
Box- 4%
Slot- 2%
Wide- 93%
NFL Combine/Pro Day
Awards
2025: All-SEC Second Team
Scorecard
Overall– 83.9
Speed- 78
Acceleration- 79
Agility- 90
Strength- 80
Tackling- 81
Run Defense- 74
Man Coverage- 85
Zone Coverage- 85
Press- 89
Discipline- 88
THE GOOD
- Lengthy, boundary-corner build that helps him crowd the catch point and play through receivers on vertical throws
- Impressive ball production and playmaking record
- Has a knack for turning tips and loose balls into points
- Competitive, physical coverage demeanor
- Willing to challenge releases and fight at the top of routes
- Plays with good vision and reads the quarterback exceptionally well
- Very good closing burst to the football
- Run-support willingness and edge toughness
- Versatility from a multi-stop résumé and has played in different coverage structures and adapted quickly at each
THE BAD
- Recovery speed and suddenness versus true burners is questionable
- If he loses a step at the break point, he can have trouble re-stacking
- Locating the ball downfield can be inconsistent
- Hand usage can get grabby in tight coverage
- Tackling mechanics need work
- Willing run supporter, but has inconsistent form stopping the ball carrier
- High-variance play style where his aggressiveness can also lead to biting on route stems and double moves
THE FIT
Hood fits best as an outside cornerback in a scheme that blends press-bail and match-zone so he can play with vision, use his length and timing to disrupt at the catch point, and drive on throws. He’s maximized as a boundary corner who can bait quarterbacks, contest vertically, and generate turnovers. He profiles as a CB2 who can play like a CB1.
SUMMARY
Colton Hood is a long, competitive outside corner whose game is built around disruption and ball production. He likes to play tight, challenge the catch point, and turn targets into contested throws. When he can play with vision he’s at his best because his route awareness and timing let him drive on the ball for pass breakups and interceptions rather than just staying in phase on vertical routes. He also plays with more physicality than many corners, showing willingness in run support and as a tackler, which helps him fit as a boundary defender in the NFL. The common concerns are about pure recovery speed and separation from quicker, sudden route runners who can stress his transitions if he’s forced to mirror in space all day, and he’ll need to stay disciplined with hands to avoid penalties against NFL technicians.
Overall, he projects as a starting-caliber CB2 with turnover upside in a scheme that mixes coverages and lets him play aggressive.
PRO COMPARISON
Kristian Fulton
BTB OVERALL RANKING
36th
CONSENSUS OVERALL RANKING
36th
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)
