In a vacuum, Tennessee’s best 2026 NFL prospect is cornerback Jermod McCoy. The Oregon State transfer exploded onto the national scene back in 2024, making big play after big play in the Tennessee secondary. McCoy stepped onto campus two years ago and immediately became CB1 for the Volunteers, locking things down and helping power Tennessee to a College Football Playoff berth.
An ACL tear in January of 2025 during offseason training has clouded his NFL Draft projection, however. McCoy was rumored
to be close to a return to action for Tennessee late in the season, but opted to shut things down after the Volunteers were eliminated from playoff contention.
Prospect Information
Position: Cornerback
Schools: Oregon State, Tennessee
High School Ranking: 3-star, 1,481st nationally
Height: 6-1
Weight: 188 pounds
Stats: 2024 season — 9 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 44 tackles
(Missed entire 2025 season with a torn ACL)
Scouting Jermod McCoy
McCoy has just about everything you want as a cornerback. A lengthy frame to go along with quick-twitch reactions, he’s able to be sticky in man coverage. McCoy’s ability to find the ball and make a play on it is special, as evidenced by his 2024 season. The Texas native made game-changing plays for Tennessee against Oklahoma, Alabama and Vanderbilt during his breakout season in Knoxville.
Two particular plays, both man-to-man challenges in the endzone against Vandy and Alabama, show McCoy’s ball skills. McCoy was able to get position on a fade against Alabama’s Ryan Williams for the pick, flipping that entire game on its head and sparking a Tennessee victory.
McCoy has an outstanding ability to be physical at the catch point with receivers, able to get his hands on the ball without drawing penalties. He posted 16 total pass breakups over his two seasons of college football, going along with six interceptions. McCoy played on both sides of the ball in high school with some thinking he may land at receiver at the next level.
His long arms allow him to play aggressive press coverage, while his long speed and agility keep him in the game in recovery mode. McCoy ran a reported 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at Tennessee’s pro day. That recovery speed was put to the test back in December of 2024 against Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, who got the better of him a couple of times during that CFP matchup. Some have questioned his short-area acceleration, which Smith was able to exploit.
McCoy gave up just two touchdowns in 2024. According to PFF, McCoy was graded as the 11th best cornerback during that season.
Questions surrounding Jermod McCoy
All of the above sounds great, but whether or not McCoy can get back to that level — or for how long he can remain there — is a major question for teams. They’ve all done their own independent medical work and drawn their conclusions at this point. Without the injury, McCoy was a sure-fire top 15 pick. Now with this added layer, it’s anyone’s guess.
Some teams have reportedly red-flagged the knee issue. Others have said another procedure will be needed. Because of this, McCoy’s projection becomes one of the most difficult on the board.
Jermod McCoy NFL Draft predition
No. 29 overall: Kansas City Chiefs
