Tennessee has signed Colton Hood out of the transfer portal to give the defensive secondary a much-needed boost after spring camp. The Colorado transfer corner brings some important P4 playing experience to Tennessee's secondary.
BREAKING: Colorado transfer CB Colton Hood has Committed to Tennessee, he tells @on3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 2, 2025
The 5’11 190 CB played in all 13 games for the Buffaloes in 2024, totaling 24 Tackles & 2 INT
Will have 3 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/H9wUMx7ZFo
The biggest win in Tennessee's signing of Hood is that he brings three years of eligibility with him. He seems to want to stay in the SEC, where he started his career with Auburn, and returns after one season at Colorado.
Hood, most notably, chose the Vols over Miami and Notre Dame and announced his decision one day after visiting Rocky Top.
"I mean, they got a lot of great players to come through here, and just the culture," Hood told 247 Sports. "And I also like the genuineness of the coaches — Coach Heupel, Coach ET, Coach Banks, Coach Martinez, all of them. I mean, they're just all genuine, and I just really liked what they had to say about the university."
Hood went on to say that the coaching staff's ability to develop talent and being closer to home played a big part in his decision to transfer to Tennessee.
"They basically said I could come in and play and be a big factor with what they've got going on immediately," said Hood. "It's really big because I was just at Colorado, which is really far — really, really far from home," Hood said. "Being able to come closer to home, it's big, for sure."
Hood brings speed and competitiveness to Tennessee's secondary, which is much-needed heading into the 2025 season. Jermod McCoy almost single-handily changed Tennessee's secondary last year, and Hood will have the opportunity to make the same impact this year.
Imma need us to get Colton Hood. That close in speed on this pick is ELITE. pic.twitter.com/mB00gdNwbk
— Kev (@Smith31Kev) April 30, 2025
Losing Hood also looks to be a big loss for Colorado. Some Buffaloes fans were expecting Hood to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country this year, and his film and highlights show he has the potential to be one of the top lockdown corners in college football.
Colton Hood is going to be one of the Best Cornerbacks in the Country next season 🔥 #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/xBPxJ0oGhv
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) March 13, 2025
Mannnn the interceptions are cool, but people get interceptions on accident all the time. What doesn’t happen on accident is how Colorado CB Colton Hood plays in man coverage. This is ELITE press technique! Stays square, patient, doesn’t open the gate, doesn’t shoot with wrong… pic.twitter.com/T0aqDc24TT
— Buffed Prime T-Cal (@BuffedInPrime) October 21, 2024
Tennessee fans should be excited about Hood's arrival at Rocky Top. He can be an immediate playmaker on the perimeter and can play with some of the best receivers in college football.
On3 Sports' Pete Nakos also made it clear Tennessee might not be done in the transfer portal as the Vols are still recruiting other defensive backs after losing Jakobe Thomas to Miami.