Jermod McCoy Early 2026 NFL Draft Profile

The 2025 season produced mixed results for Tennessee, going 8-4, with all four losses coming against top-15 teams. The Volunteers will close out the season in the Music City Bowl against Illinois. While its offense was potent, a lackluster defense kept Tennessee from making a run in the SEC. A big reason for the Volunteers’ defensive struggles was the absence of cornerback Jermod McCoy. McCoy broke out as one of the best corners in college football in 2024, but didn’t play a snap in 2025 due to injury. Despite missing an entire season, he projects as one of the best prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. What makes McCoy such a highly-touted player, and how high can he be selected in April?

2026 NFL Draft: Early Jermod McCoy Player Profile

Measurables

Height – 6-foot

Weight – 193 pounds

Background

McCoy was a three-star recruit and the 91st-ranked cornerback in the Class of 2023 coming out of Whitehouse (Texas). Despite being overlooked coming out of high school, he committed to Oregon State and saw the field early. McCoy appeared in 12 games and made five starts as a true freshman for the Beavers. He finished 2023 with two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and 31 tackles while recovering a fumble. While he showed promise at Oregon State, he struggled defending the run and tackling, posting a 19.4% missed-tackle rate per PFF.

After one season in Corvallis, McCoy entered the transfer portal and joined Josh Heupel and Tennessee. The flashes of an elite cornerback shown the year prior were on full display in 2024. McCoy started all 13 games and racked up four interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 44 tackles while the Volunteers made their first College Football Playoff appearance. He also made significant strides against the run, posting a 78.8 PFF grade in that department. McCoy had a 7% missed-tackle rate in 2024, a massive improvement from his freshman year. It appeared that McCoy would continue his upward trajectory in 2025, but that wasn’t the case. He suffered a torn ACL in January, which caused him to miss his entire junior season. McCoy declared for the 2026 NFL Draft, foregoing his two years of remaining eligibility.

Strengths

McCoy has the ideal size of an outside cornerback at the next level. He uses his frame to win with physicality, routinely jamming wide receivers in press coverage. McCoy also displays excellent ball skills, having six interceptions and 16 pass breakups over two seasons. He is a fluid athlete who can stick with receivers in man coverage and shows strong instincts in zone coverage. McCoy is an exceptional tackler for the position and provides value against the run.

Weaknesses

The biggest concern with McCoy is the injury. He hasn’t played since tearing his ACL, so it’s uncertain how it will affect his production. While his physicality is a clear strength, it can lead to penalties; he had eight called against him in 2024. Utilizing his strength without drawing flags can help McCoy take the next step as a corner.

Overview

Dominant boundary cornerbacks are high in demand and low in supply in the NFL. McCoy has all the traits of an All-Pro caliber corner, with his combination of agility, physicality, and ball skills. His run defense makes him valuable on every down. While the injury is a valid cause for concern, his traits should make him a first-round lock. He has a case as the best cornerback in this class, alongside Mansoor Delane. McCoy should hear his name called in the middle of the first round at the latest, but he can be a top-ten pick if the injury concerns are cleared up.