The regular season is over, which means roster management is about to come into full focus for college football programs. Part of that equation is figuring out who is going to declare for the NFL Draft, which we’ll quickly figure out here over the next few weeks.
Most likely, Tennessee will at least have three key players heading to the professional ranks. Jermod McCoy, who missed the entire 2025 season working back from a torn ACL, leads the way. His running mate that never got to play alongside
of him, Colton Hood, has also been projected in the first round. And then there’s Chris Brazzell, who emerged as one of the best receivers in the country, also being rumored to be a high selection.
You would expect those three to declare, while a guy like Arion Carter could follow.
At ESPN, Field Yates projected both cornerbacks to go in the first round. McCoy landed with the Eagles at No. 21 overall while Hood landed at No. 30 to the Patriots.
“This would be a calculated risk, as McCoy did not play at all this season after an ACL tear in January,” Yates said of McCoy going this early. “Some scouts believe he is a top-10 prospect, while others are dubious he will even go in the first round without any tape this season. But his elite skill set was obvious with the Volunteers last season, resulting in four interceptions and nine pass breakups.”
McCoy’s medical evaluation at the NFL Combine will likely determine where he lands this spring. He was close to returning late in the year, doing more and more every week in practice. McCoy ultimately chose to shut things down with Tennessee falling out of playoff contention.
“Hood has some areas to clean up with his technique, but there’s an infectious energy that you see every time you watch him play,” Yates said. “He posted 10 pass breakups this season — his first with Tennessee after spending one season at Colorado and his freshman year at Auburn. Hood loves the challenge of man coverage and can be an aggressive player in run support.”
Hood showed some inconsistency down the stretch run for Tennessee, but made a big impact early in the season when the Vols really needed him. He’s been a constant in the back-half of first round mock drafts since mid-season.
Brazzell did not get selected in this particular mock draft. His projection has been a little more all over the map with just one season of big-time tape. However, a 6-5 frame with speed and elite body control likely won’t stay on the board for too terribly long.
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23rd and will run through April 25th.
