Pro Football Focus calls Tennessee Vols standout a ‘boom-or-bust’ player ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft

Former Tennessee Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy is expected to be a first round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Tennessee Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy is expected to be a first round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

A year ago, McCoy was viewed by numerous outlets as CB1 in this year’s draft class.

And while that still may be the case, it’s no longer a guarantee after McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL (ESPN’s Field Yates had LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane as the first cornerback selected in his latest mock draft, with McCoy coming off the board two picks later).

Pro Football Focus labels Jermod McCoy as a “boom-or-bust” player

Because of the uncertainty surrounding McCoy (due to missing the 2025 season), Pro Football Focus labeled the former Vol this week as a “boom-or-bust” player.

“McCoy has phenomenal tape to warrant a high draft selection,” wrote PFF’s Max Chadwick. “He was ninth in the FBS with an 89.6 PFF coverage grade as just a true sophomore. However…there are some injury concerns.

“McCoy missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL that he suffered in an offseason workout last January. He’s expected to be fully recovered in time for the NFL Combine and a big week there, both on the field and in medical testing, could solidify McCoy as a top 15 pick.”

If McCoy tests well at the NFL scouting combine in a couple of weeks, he will almost certainly shed the “boom-or-bust” label. The only real concern with McCoy is whether he’ll be the same athlete that he was before the torn ACL. Once he can prove that, he could easily jump back into the top 10 conversation.

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from February 23 through March 2. Coverage will air on the NFL Network.

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