4-star DB Colton Hood commits to Auburn
Colton Hood, a 4-star cornerback and Auburn legacy from McDonough (Ga.) Eagles Landing Christian Academy, has committed to the Tigers.
“It’s just the place and just the people around here,” Hood told Auburn Live. “I’ve been here plenty of times. It just feels like home every time I come. My recruitment is done. I’m locked in 100 percent.”
Hood, the No. 32 cornerback in the country for On3, was one of Auburn’s top flip targets for the last several weeks. He had been a Michigan State verbal since September but parted ways with the Spartans on Saturday while Hood was on his official visit to Auburn.
Hood is commitment No. 12 for the Tigers. He will sign Dec. 21 but is not an early enrollee.
Hood attended multiple Auburn home games this season and has trended to the Tigers since even before Hugh Freeze was hired as head coach Nov. 28.
Hood’s father, Benjie Hood, played receiver at Auburn. His uncle, Roderick Hood, was a Tigers cornerback.
“My mom and dad are really excited,” Hood said. “They were a little skeptical, but I think this weekend sealed the deal for them.”
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Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge, the Tigers’ recruiting alpha, was Hood’s primary Auburn recruiter. Hood said Etheridge was the key to making all of this happen.
“He offered me while I was already committed (to Michigan State) but even though he knew I was committed he never stopped trying to get me there knowing Auburn was my dream school,” Hood said. “He’s been great. He gives me motivational tips, and little technique things to help me get better.”
Etheridge and Freeze went in-home with Hood last Monday night.
“It was like a 9 (out of 10),” Hood said of that in-home visit. “He made it seem like they really wanted me at Auburn. Just a very personable guy. He was telling me how he wanted me to be a great player, but also wants me to be able to be great when football is over.”
–Auburn Live Recruiting Show: Transfer portal, new offers, new targets, in-home visits and more
–RELATED: THE BIG BOARD: Auburn Transfer Portal Target Tracker (Dec. 9 update)
Hood, listed at 6-foot-1, did a little bit of everything for Eagles Landing Christian this season.
He finished with 279 passing yards, 186 rushing yards, 32 catches for 647 yards and 11 touchdowns, 40 total tackles and 3 interceptions.
You can find Auburn’s complete commitment list HERE.
