Tennessee Vols CB Jermod McCoy tops a list that could put a whole lot of money in his pocket in 2026
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy had a terrific 2024 season for the Vols' defense. The transfer from Oregon State was one of the surprises of the season for the Big Orange, turning into one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC by the end of the season. However, an ACL tear in January has put his […]
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy had a terrific 2024 season for the Vols' defense. The transfer from Oregon State was one of the surprises of the season for the Big Orange, turning into one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC by the end of the season.
However, an ACL tear in January has put his availability for the start of the season in question, one that should be better answered based on the types of training/activities he's cleared to do during fall camp.
That being said, that uncertainty hasn't deterred two NFL draft experts from putting McCoy at or near the top of their positional lists for the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN's Matt Miller and Jordan Reid put out the top five players at each position, and McCoy came in #1 for Miller and #2 for Reid among cornerbacks.
This is what Reid had to say about McCoy:
"Toughest player to rank: McCoy. The Oregon State transfer thrived in his first season with the Vols, intercepting four passes and looking like the CB1 of a strong 2026 corner class. But he suffered a torn ACL during a January training session, putting his status for the 2025 season in doubt. Can McCoy return to the field this season, and how would he perform if he does?" – Jordan Reid, ESPN.com
I think Reid's concerns aren't unwarranted, particularly when considering whether to put McCoy at the top or not at this point in time. However, the NFL Draft is still 10 months away, and McCoy is 5 months removed from his injury and thus well into the recovery process. He'll have plenty of time both during the season and at the NFL Combine and Tennessee Pro Day to show scouts and executives that he's still got it.
Still, even injured, McCoy has earned the benefit of the doubt from at least two draft pundits, and they likely aren't the only ones who will be banking on his skills and his ability to return to form in 2025. A solid return would likely confirm the projections by Miller and Reid and cement him as one of the top cornerbacks drafted next April, perhaps in the first round.
And if he can bounce back, and quickly, it would be a massive boost for Tennessee's defense this fall.
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