Former Tennessee Vol Colton Hood will be under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football for his first-ever regular-season NFL game this fall. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday morning, the New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys in an NFC East showdown on Sept. 13 in MetLife Stadium.
Hood will obviously be on track to get some in-game reps during the Giants’ preseason slate. But Week 1 will present an exciting matchup in a rich rivalry as the Giants and Cowboys square off under the lights.
Hood was one of seven players that the Giants acquired through the draft, alongside LB Arvell Reese, OT Francis Mauigoa, WR Malachi Fields, DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, OT J.C. Davis, and LB Jack Kelly. New York picked Hood with the 37th overall pick during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
First Sunday night game of the season, Sept. 13, will be the Cowboys at the Giants. pic.twitter.com/YPZTYO6xYw
Advertisement— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 11, 2026
More From RTI: Anonymous SEC Coordinator Sings Praise of Tennessee Football Draft Pick Colton Hood
Hood transferred into Tennessee ahead of the 2025 season. After injuries sidelined both Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III for the entire season, Hood was thrust into Tennessee’s top cornerback role in his first season with the Vols. He racked up 50 total tackles, 34 solo tackles, one pick-six, and a scoop-and-score touchdown.
While Hood had a solid season with the Vols, his draft stock really began to rise during the offseason. He had great showings at the Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine, and the Tennessee Pro Day over the last two months. Hood has also put himself in a good light with strong media rounds over the last week, doing interviews with Good Morning FB and Nightcap.
Hood originally began his career at Auburn in 2023 before transferring to Colorado for the 2024 season. After playing under NFL legend Deion Sanders for one season with the Buffaloes, Hood took his talents back to the SEC and wound up with the Volunteers. During his one season at Colorado, Hood racked up 24 total tackles, 20 solo tackles, and two interceptions.
The former Volunteer now heads to a franchise looking to continue building up a roster of young talent. Hood will help New York as a physical, sticky cornerback on the outside of the defensive formation.
Hood is wearing No. 12 with the Giants during rookie minicamp, but jersey numbers are subject to change before the start of the season.
