Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood isn’t one to dwell on the highlight plays.
He’s too focused on what’s next and what can still be better.
“I think there’s still some things I think I can improve on, some meat I left on the bone,” Hood said. “I’m just trying to get better. Like, I don’t really look at my good plays too often. I probably watched it one time, like, ‘Aye that was a good play,’ but after that it’s on to the bad plays. Plays where I can see I can improve on.”
Hood has emerged as one of Tennessee’s most consistent defensive backs this season.
He has started at cornerback in all nine games this season, leading the team with seven PBUs, 27 solo tackles, and an interception.
However, for the sophomore corner, self-critique is what fuels the next step.
“I think I’ve done a decent job. Because, like I said, there’s always areas to improve,” he said.
That mentality, always ready, always working, stems from how he grew up.
“You always got to be ready,” Hood said.
“Growing up like, I was never like anybody’s really first choice. So, you know, I was always having to choose to have the next-man-up mentality. So just every time getting my opportunity, going out there and making the best of it.”
That chip on his shoulder still drives him today.
“For sure,” Hood said with a grin. “I try to treat every day like there’s somebody behind me trying to, you know, outwork me, beat me out from my spot. So you just gotta treat every day like that.”
Through it all, Hood’s confidence hasn’t wavered.
“I haven’t surprised myself,” he said. “It was more just… proving myself right, not really proving others right. I always knew the type of player I was.”
While Hood’s goals include the sport’s biggest honors, he says his main motivation remains about effort and impact.
“Shoot. I’m hoping to win the Jim Thorpe,” Hood said.
Hood is the third Tennessee player to be selected as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe award in the Josh Heupel era. He joins Jermod McCoy from last season and safety Trevon Flowers was chosen in 2022.
“I just hope people just say I play hard, like I was a guy who plays hard, who played for his team,” he said. “The personal accolades, of course you want those, like everybody wants those. But I just want my teammates to know that I gave my all for them, you know, every play, trying to help us be the best version of ourselves. So I think that’s my ultimate thing.”
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Committee will select three award finalists on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving.
The award finalists will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
