BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that a pair of Tennessee football standouts were recognized with weekly honors for their performances in the Vols’ season-opening victory over Syracuse. Colton Hood was selected as SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, while Braylon Staley was tabbed the SEC Freshman of the Week.
Hood finished his Tennessee debut with four tackles, a fumble recovery touchdown and three pass breakups to help lead the Vols past the Orange in the Aflac Kickoff Game. The Colorado transfer earned the start at cornerback in place of the injured preseason first-team All-American Jermod McCoy and stepped up in a big way.
His three pass breakups were the most by an SEC player in Week 1, and he also executed the big blow — scooping up a fumble and returning it 22 yards for a touchdown with 0:56 left in the first quarter that put the Vols up 17-0. The McDonough, Georgia, native played all 84 defensive snaps for Tennessee in his Big Orange debut.
Making his first career start on Saturday, Staley finished with a game-high 95 receiving yards with four catches and one touchdown. Playing in just his fifth collegiate game, the redshirt freshman tallied a 73-yard touchdown reception that provided a momentum swing for the Vols in the opener. He was the only player in the SEC with a 70-plus yard catch in Week 1 and one of only two in the Power Four (USC, Eli Sanders).
Tennessee has racked up 43 weekly honors from the conference office under head coach Josh Heupel (2021-present).
