Tolleson first attracted the attention of baseball scouts while playing college ball at Western Carolina. During his college career, Tolleson set ten WCU season and career records, earning  All-Southern Conference honors at shortstop in  and .
Tolleson first caught the attention of baseball scouts while playing college ball at Western Carolina. During his collegiate tenure, Tolleson broke ten WCU season and career records, earning All-Southern Conference honors as a shortstop in .