Former Tennessee Vols standout has already improved his NFL draft stock at the combine according to ESPN
The Tennessee Vols could have two players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s increasingly likely that the Tennessee Vols will have two players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Former Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy, despite not working out at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week, is essentially locked in as a first round pick (as long as his medicals check out).
Another former Vols cornerback, Colton Hood, entered the draft process as a potential late first round or second round pick.
Hood, however, likely solidified his status as a first round pick with his performance at the combine.
ESPN says Vols cornerback Colton Hood could be a top 20 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft
ESPN’s Matt Miller thinks Hood performed well enough at the combine this week that he could now be a top 20 selection.
Hood ran a 4.44 in the 40 and recorded an impressive 40.5-inch vertical jump. Additionally, his broad jump was 10-foot-5 — plenty of athleticism to play cornerback at a high level in the NFL.
“Hood is a press-man coverage cornerback at 6 feet and 193 pounds with the broad shoulders to stack up receivers at the line of scrimmage,” noted Miller. “He is in the mix to be the third cornerback off the board and could land as a top-20 selection.”
Hood just turned 21 on February 23, so his youth is something that will be attractive to NFL teams.
His confidence should be attractive, too.
“I think I’m the best corner in this class, honestly,” said Hood at the combine this week. “And there’s a lot of great players, my teammates, all the guys — they’re great players. But I honestly think I’m the best corner in the draft. I haven’t even played my best football yet. I’m a one year starter. I started 774 snaps, and I think I did a pretty good job with the snaps I played. So definitely, that played into it. I just have confidence in myself that throughout this process I’m going to continue to raise my (draft) stock.”
The Dallas Cowboys, who pick at No. 20 in the first round, are a team that could make a lot of sense for Hood (the Cowboys also have the No. 12 overall pick in the first round).
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