‘The best player in Mobile’ – ESPN draft analyst labels former Tennessee Vols standout as his top day 1 standout at the Senior Bowl
The former Tennessee Vols standout had a solid first day as the Senior Bowl gets underway in Mobile.
A former Tennessee Vols standout had a terrific first day at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.
According to ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller, Vols cornerback Colton Hood “stepped up” on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl.
Miller pointed out that Miller showed “patience and confidence” while solidifying that he’s the best player at the Senior Bowl this week.
The longtime draft analyst also noted that Hood could be selected in the middle of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“All eyes were on Hood, my top-ranked player at the Senior Bowl, and he stepped up Tuesday,” wrote Miller. “He showed patience and confidence in one-on-one settings, turning and running with opposing receivers with ease while not being beaten once. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior was my No. 18-ranked player entering the week and solidified his status as the best player in Mobile throughout position drills and team settings. The Buccaneers, Jets and Lions all look like strong landing spots for him in the middle of Round 1.”
Hood, who started his career at Auburn and Colorado before transferring to Tennessee, spent one season on Rocky Top, totaling 50 tackles, eight passes defensed, one interception, and one defensive touchdown.
Could the Tennessee Vols have three players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
We’re in the early stages of the pre-draft process, so it’s a bit premature to forecast what the first round will actually look like in April (which is why it’s interesting to see how mock drafts evolve as more information is gained about prospects).
But it looks like the Vols have two for-sure first-round draft picks in Hood and fellow cornerback Jermod McCoy (McCoy is expected to be a first round pick despite missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL).
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell is another Vol that could sneak into the first round. Brazzell, however, will need a strong performance at pre-draft events, as well as good interviews with teams, to boost his stock that high.
The Vols haven’t had more than one player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2010 (Eric Berrry and Dan Williams). The last time Tennessee had three players selected in the first round was 2002 (Donté Stallworth, Albert Haynesworth, and John Henderson).
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