Just days after Colorado added former Tennessee safety John Slaughter to its roster, the Volunteers have responded by landing one of the Buffaloes’ former defensive backs. Cornerback, who tallied 20 solo tackles, two interceptions for 105 yards, and six pass breakups during the 2024 season, is now headed to Knoxville, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hood brings three years of eligibility with him and will look to earn a key role in a Volunteers defense that ranked among the nation’s best last year. His departure from Colorado comes as the Buffaloes bolster their own secondary with the additions of Slaughter and Kansas State transfer Noah King.
While losing Hood is a notable blow, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has repeatedly shown a knack for navigating the transfer portal with success. His ability to reload talent could help soften the impact of the loss and keep the Buffaloes’ defensive unit on track.
With movement on both sides, this swap highlights the ever-evolving landscape of college football rosters, especially under coaches who embrace the new era of player mobility.
Tennessee and Colorado football move forward in lively offseason
Both Deion Sanders and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel are dealing with different kinds of pressure this offseason. Sanders is juggling the responsibilities of building Colorado’s roster for the 2025–26 season while also supporting his son, Shedeur Sanders, who experienced a surprising fall in the 2025 NFL Draft and is now a rookie with the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, Heupel faces the challenge of reworking his offensive plans after former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA.
By essentially exchanging defensive backs through the transfer portal, Colorado and Tennessee are indirectly benefiting each other. Both coaching staffs already have plenty to manage this offseason without the added stress of replacing key contributors from last year. A strong defense could be the backbone of any success either program finds in 2025.
Deion Sanders’ hire of Robert Livingston as defensive coordinator paid off, helping the Buffaloes to a 9-4 finish in their return to Big 12 competition. But with offensive stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter now in the NFL, Colorado’s offense may need time to regain its spark—especially with highly touted freshman quarterback Julian Lewis still developing.
Tennessee, meanwhile, was already shifting toward a more defense-oriented identity, even when Nico Iamaleava was under center. Now that he’s off to UCLA, Josh Heupel is likely to double down on the Volunteers’ stingy defense, which ranked seventh in the FBS in points allowed. New addition Colton Hood will aim to bolster that already formidable unit.
With major roster changes and new directions taking shape, the offseason remains one of transition and recalibration for both Boulder and Knoxville.