Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood is officially headed to the National Football League. The one-year Volunteer was selected in the second round of the draft on Friday night and was the first Tennessee Volunteer off the board.
Hood was picked No. 37 overall by the New York Giants. Hood is New York’s first selection on Friday night after the Giants took Ohio State LB Arvell Reese and Miami OT Francis Mauigoa in the first round on Thursday.
He was the third cornerback selected overall, coming in behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane at No. 6 to the Browns and San Diego State’s Chris Johnson to the Miami Dolphins at No. 27. Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy is still waiting to hear his name called at the time of Hood’s selection.
Hood is the 18th player from Tennessee to be drafted to the NFL in the Josh Heupel era. He’s also the third cornerback to be drafted under Heupel, alongside Alontae Taylor (2022) and Kamal Hadden (2024).
Your newest Giant, @Colton_Hood2023!
📺 » 2026 #NFLDraft April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC#NFLVols | #NYGiants | @Giants pic.twitter.com/uDvEoa9FDX
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) April 24, 2026
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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.
