Colton Hood’s Transfer to Tennessee BOLSTER Secondary Alongside Boo Carter
The Tennessee Volunteers have significantly strengthened their defensive backfield with the addition of cornerback Colton Hood, a transfer from Colorado. Hood’s arrival is poised to create a formidable duo with rising sophomore Boo Carter, enhancing the team’s secondary ahead of the 2025 season.
Hood, a Georgia native, began his collegiate career at Auburn before transferring to Colorado, where he played all 13 games in the 2024 season. During his time with the Buffaloes, he recorded 24 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. Notably, Hood did not allow a single touchdown across 215 coverage snaps, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 51.7 passer rating .
His decision to join Tennessee was influenced by the program’s culture and the authenticity of the coaching staff. “Just the culture and the history about it,” Hood said. “I mean, they got a lot of great players to come through here and just the culture. And also I like the genuineness of the coaches. Coach Heupel, coach ET, coach Banks, coach Martinez, all of them. I mean, they’re just all genuine. I just really like what they had to say about the university.
Hood’s addition comes at a crucial time for the Volunteers, who are addressing depth concerns in the secondary due to injuries and transfers. With three years of eligibility remaining, Hood is expected to compete for a starting role and provide immediate impact.
Pairing Hood with Boo Carter, who had a standout freshman season with 27 tackles and two interceptions, positions Tennessee’s secondary as one of the most dynamic in the SEC. Carter’s versatility and playmaking ability complement Hood’s lockdown coverage skills, offering defensive coordinator Tim Banks a robust set of options in the defensive backfield.
As the Volunteers prepare for their season opener against Syracuse on August 30 in the Aflac Kickoff Game, the enhanced secondary led by Hood and Carter is expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s pursuit of success in the 2025 campaign.