Tennessee’s Colton Hood: ‘I just pride myself in locking down the best guy on the opposing team’

When Colton Hood saw Tennessee Football, he saw an opportunity. An opportunity to join a program that made the College Football Playoff last season. An opportunity to join what was one of the country’s best defenses last season. A chance to play in the best conference in college football.

“I saw an SEC school,” Hood, the Colorado transfer defensive back, said after practice on Monday, “an SEC school that made the playoff last year, really dominant defense. 

“And I wanted to come be a part of something special like that. So when I saw that opportunity opened up, I was like, man, I got to take it.”

‘He’s really had a great ball camp up into this point’

When Tennessee saw Hood in the NCAA Transfer Portal, the Vols saw what secondary coach Willie Martinez described as both an athletic and versatile piece to add to the backend of the defense. 

“You see the movements,” Martinez said, “you can see the traits. And he’s taken that from the summertime with his teammates and bonded really well with our team, especially in the back end, connecting with everybody, which we really see some leadership skills. 

“And then obviously in camp here, he’s really had a great ball camp up into this point. He gives us the versatility where he can play corner, he can also play star, he can play dime, which he’s doing.” 

Colton Hood started career at Auburn, transferred to Colorado

Hood started his career at Auburn in 2023 — he’s a former four-star recruit from McDonough, Ga. — before recording 24 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended at Colorado in 13 games last season. 

The addition of Hood helps Tennessee deal with Jermod McCoy’s ongoing return from the torn ACL he suffered during offseason training in January. And it helps the Vols deal with Boo Carter’s ongoing situation. 

And he has fit right in with his new teammates. 

“We didn’t know anything about his personality when he first came on campus the first time,” Martinez said. “Boy, you can tell that he could fit into our room just from those standpoint of maturity. 

“He kind of commands and moves with confidence. Ultimate team guy. He’s a team-first kind of mentality. And then obviously when he starts working out with us.”

Hood showed that confidence Monday when asked during his press conference about what he brings to the table at Tennessee.

“I just I pride myself in locking down the best guy on the opposing team,” Hood said. “So whoever y’all think is the best guy, I’m going to go out there and do what I do and lock him down.”