The pick of Colton Hood is a full circle moment for the Hood family.
Colton Hood’s uncle is Roderick Hood, a former NFL cornerback who played for eight seasons whose position coach in Philadelphia was Giants head coach John Harbaugh.
“My uncle always told me how good of a person (Harbaugh) was but also how hard of a coach he was,” said Hood. “Definitely somebody I want to be coached by and somebody I want to play for.”
Being bypassed in Round 1
The Atlanta native returned to his home Friday after being in Pittsburgh the day before. While saying it was “disappointing” not to be drafted in the first round, he believes everything happens for a reason.
“I know God….was probably preventing me from something or he had something better in store for me, and that being the Giants,” he said. “I’m super excited to go into this next chapter of my life and will just go in there and give my all and be the best version of myself.
“I feel great. Just being able to realize my dreams. It’s something I grew up dreaming about playing in the NFL and getting to do it for such a storied franchise such as the Giants, it’s just a great feeling.”
Self evaluation
The 21-year-old, who previously played at Auburn and Colorado before transferring to Tennessee last year, said he was surprised to be drafted by the Giants as he did not have a visit with team members outside of a formal meeting at the Combine this year.
Hood comes to the Giants with a reputation as press-man cover corner, trained in-part by his unclde, who can attach himself to receivers and make things difficult for the offense.
Asked to describe himself as a player, Hood said the Giants drafted “the most competitive person in this draft, the best cornerback in the draft, and someone who’s going to come out and give his all each Sunday.”
A Harbaugh-type player
It was a characteristic that Harbaugh is looking in his cornerback room, stating after Hood was drafted because “I want a bunch of pit bulls out there flying around making plays on the football, and Colton Hood gives us another guy in there to do that and compete and push everybody. He comes from a great family. So I know the type of family this young man comes from, and the type person he is. I know the kind of athlete he is. This is a corner with traits and ball skills.”
Hood said that he would use not being picked in the first round as motivation when he hits the field in East Rutherford.
“For sure, but I’m saying it’s more just wanting to prove the Giants right and just thanking them for taking a chance on me,” he said. “Definitely giving my all back to them and this organization.”
