Tennessee DB Colton Hood selected by Giants in second round
By David Wasson
Published:
SEC talent kept flying off the board Friday night during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, as Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 37 overall pick.
Hood joins Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who was taken No. 33 overall by the San Francisco 49ers, as conference players going early on Day 2 in Pittsburgh.
The 5-foot-11, 193-pound Hood is a physical press corner who uses his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage. He competes for 50-50 balls and does a good job limiting production after the catch in zone and off-man coverage.
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Hood was only at Tennessee for the 2025 season after stops at Colorado in 2024 and Auburn in 2023. He recorded 34 solo tackles, eight passes defended, forced a fumble and took an interception 23 yards for a touchdown last year in Knoxville – and finishes his collegiate career with 57 solo stops, 14 passes defended, a forced fumble and three picks.
Hood, who battled a calf injury throughout 2025 but did not miss a game, is the first Tennessee player to come off the board at the 2026 NFL Draft – ahead of teammate Jermod McCoy.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
