Jermod McCoy Set to Leave Tennessee Football for The NFL Draft

Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Jermod McCoy has officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, bringing an end to his collegiate career in Knoxville after a standout but injury-shortened tenure.

The announcement came on December 10, 2025, via McCoy’s social media, where he expressed deep gratitude for his time at the University of Tennessee. “First, I want to thank God for blessing me with the ability and opportunity to play this game at the highest level,” McCoy wrote. “And even though my time on the field was cut short, I will be forever grateful for my time here at the University of Tennessee. It has been a true honor, and I’m appreciative for every moment I had in the orange and white. Thank you to everyone who has given me the opportunity to chase this dream. I will forever be indebted. With that said, I am officially declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.”

McCoy, a 6-foot, 193-pound cornerback from Whitehouse, Texas, transferred to Tennessee from Oregon State following the 2023 season. He made an immediate impact in 2024, his first year with the Vols, emerging as one of the top defensive backs in the country. In 13 games, McCoy recorded 44 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 13 total passes defended—leading the team in the latter category. His performance helped propel Tennessee to the College Football Playoff for the first time under head coach Josh Heupel, marking a significant milestone for the program. McCoy’s ball-hawking instincts, scheme versatility, and ability to excel in zone coverage earned him semifinalist honors for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s premier defensive back. He was also named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and earned first-team All-SEC recognition.

His trajectory appeared headed toward even greater heights entering 2025, with preseason All-American nods and projections as a potential top overall defensive prospect. However, tragedy struck during offseason training in January 2025 when McCoy suffered a torn ACL. The injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, forcing him to rehab rather than compete. Despite returning to limited individual work in August, he did not participate in contact drills or games. Tennessee’s secondary adapted without him, but his absence was felt as the team navigated challenges in coverage.

Even without 2025 tape, McCoy’s 2024 film remains compelling enough to position him as a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, set for April 23-26 in Green Bay. Draft analysts have ranked him as the No. 1 cornerback prospect in some evaluations, with Mel Kiper Jr. placing him highly on his Big Board. Projections vary from top-10 to mid-first round, depending on medical evaluations of his knee recovery at the NFL Combine and pro days. Scouts highlight his elite football IQ, ball skills, and athletic background—including state titles in long jump and triple jump from high school—as assets that could translate to the next level, though concerns about long-term speed and the injury linger.

McCoy’s departure adds to a growing exodus from Tennessee’s roster, with other players like cornerback Colton Hood, wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, and linebacker Arion Carter also declaring for the draft. The Vols will need to reload in the transfer portal and recruiting to maintain their defensive prowess under new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.

For McCoy, the move represents a bold step toward his lifelong dream of playing in the NFL. Despite the injury setback, his talent and production have kept him firmly in the conversation as one of the draft’s most intriguing prospects. Tennessee fans will remember him as a key figure in the program’s recent resurgence, and his next chapter now shifts to the professional stage.

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