Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood aims to make a memorable NFL draft debut on his mother's birthday. He attributes his football passion to family influences, including his uncle, an NFL veteran.
Key points
Colton Hood is a cornerback prospect from Tennessee.
The NFL draft coincides with his mother's birthday.
Colton grew up with seven siblings.
His uncle, Roderick Hood, is a former NFL player.
Colton's long-term goal has been to make it to the NFL since age six.
NFL draft prospect and Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood is on the verge of giving his mother, Crystal, a memorable gift.
âThe draft is on her birthday,â Colton said to USA TODAY Sports. âI think that would be like a really good birthday present for her.â
Family is very important to Colton, who grew up with seven siblings. His father, Bengie, used to make Colton and his siblings write down goals. Coltonâs long-term goal was to make it to the NFL.
âSix,â Colton reminisced about the age he decided he wanted to play in the NFL. âAs soon as I starting playing.â
Football is in Coltonâs DNA. His brother, Brandon, played running back at Colorado in 2024 before transferring to Massachusetts. Coltonâs uncle, Roderick Hood, was a defensive back in the NFL for eight seasons and has become Coltonâs personal defensive back coach.
âI definitely look up to him. I actually talked to him like almost every day. He's my personal coach. I definitely looked up to him. He's taught me everything I pretty much know about DB in itself,â Colton said of Roderick. âYou know, my technique and everything the way I play. The mentality I play with comes from him and my dad. He's definitely been a big help and a big part of my career so far.â
Colton started his college career at Auburn before transferring to Colorado. He then played his final collegiate season at Tennessee. Colton said he gained knowledge at each of his three stops. At Colorado, Colton was coached by the person many consider the best cornerback ever, Deion Sanders.
âThe biggest thing he taught me was just about film study. Learning how to study film. How much better you can be as a player if you study film really good and really well,â Colton said of what he learned from Sanders.
Las Vegas Raiders â Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
New York Jets â David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech
Q&A
What is Colton Hood's relationship with his family?
Colton Hood values family highly, growing up with seven siblings and aiming to honor his mother by being drafted on her birthday.
Who is Colton Hood's uncle and what is his significance?
Colton's uncle, Roderick Hood, is a former NFL defensive back who serves as Colton's personal coach.
When did Colton Hood decide to pursue a career in the NFL?
Colton Hood decided at the age of six that he wanted to play in the NFL.
What position does Colton Hood play in football?
Colton Hood plays as a cornerback and believes he is the best cornerback in the NFL draft.
Related Articles
NFL·Preview
Riddick's favorite players in the NFL draft class, from first-round locks to exciting sleepers
Check out Riddick's favorite prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, from first-round locks to exciting sleepers!
ESPN News··1 min read
Boxing
Ryan GarcĂa reta a Tsarukyan: "100.000 dĂłlares si sobrevives 8 rounds"
Ryan GarcĂa desafĂa a Tsarukyan: 100.000 dĂłlares si sobrevive 8 rounds
Marca··1 min read
Sports
Aperribay, entre la emociĂłn y el orgullo: "Han sido dĂas de lĂĄgrimas fĂĄciles, la Real te llena"
Aperribay expresa su orgullo y emociĂłn antes de la final de la Copa del Rey
Marca··1 min read
F1·Feature
Nelson Piquet Jr claims Fernando Alonso still has more âpassionâ for racing than Lewis Hamilton
Nelson Piquet Jr. claims Alonso has more racing passion than Hamilton.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Larry Bird calls late Oscar Schmidt âwithout a doubtâ one of best ever
Larry Bird calls Oscar Schmidt one of the greatest players ever after his passing.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Transfer
How many players do Barcelona need to sign this summer?
Barcelona aims to sign three players this summer, including Cancelo.
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) â Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF
30 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) â Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
31 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
New England Patriots â Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri
32 / 32
NFL mock draft: Big-name prospect drops in latest first-round projection
Seattle Seahawks â Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
What makes Colton Hood a special cornerback
Colton is one of 16 prospects who will attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Heâs projected to be a first-round pick as one of the top cornerbacks in this yearâs class. However, if you ask Colton, he believes heâs the best cornerback in this yearâs group.
âI would say one of my competitiveness, like my competitive nature, you're not gonna find that in any other player in this class. It's hard to find, really, on this earth, I believe,â Colton said. âI would say, I'm technically sound, and I'm a complete corner. I cover, I tackle, I do everything.â
The confident cornerback was named to the 2025 All-SEC Second Team and he was on the 2025 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll.
â(Heâs) an athlete that does it the right way,â Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said of Colton at Tennesseeâs pro do, per 247 Sports. âHeâs smart, tough, relentless competitor that cares about the people around him.â
âOne of the most complete cornerbacks in the draft,â NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah said about Colton in a recent mock draft.
Colton said whichever team selects him will get a hypercompetitive player on the gridiron.
âThey will get a dog. Somebody who is competitive and has an insatiable hunger to be great,â Colton said. âI'm a hard worker and just somebody who's gonna go out there and compete every snap.â
Colton told USA TODAY Sports he plans to wear a royal blue outfit on draft day. Whenever Colton gets selected, the first person he will look to is his mother in what will undoubtedly be a special birthday present for her â and a dream realized for him.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on XÂ @TheTylerDragon.