National outlet pegs ailing Tennessee Vols starter as second-best player in the country at his position

The Tennessee Volunteers' secondary is a position with a significant question mark looming over it as the offseason goes by.  That's in large part due to the knee injury suffered by the unit's best player and his unknown status for the season opener against Syracuse on August 30.

CB Jermod McCoy suffered a torn ACL back in January during a workout, which is a potentially massive blow to Tennessee's defense if his recovery extends into the season.  

With that being said, one national outlet is high on the Vols' secondary in 2025 even with McCoy's status cloudy.  Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus listed the top 10 secondaries in the country, and he had the Vols just off the list as an honorable mention because of McCoy's questionable status.  He also said he rates McCoy as his #2 cornerback nationally when healthy. 

The Volunteers’ placement on this list comes with an asterisk. That’s because their star defensive back, cornerback Jermod McCoy, is uncertain for the 2025 season after tearing his ACL in January. When healthy, he’s my No. 2 corner in the sport. 89.6 coverage grade in 2024 is second among returning Power Four cornerbacks, while his four interceptions were tied for second in that same group.

Tennessee has a few other starters returning as well in cornerback Rickey Gibson III, safety Andre Turrentine and slot corner Boo Carter. Gibson, in particular, was ninth among SEC cornerbacks last year with a 76.3 coverage grade. - Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus

McCoy, who transferred after the 2023 season from Oregon State, was excellent in 2024, posting an 87.0 defensive and 89.0 coverage grade from PFF. He allowed a catch rate of 50% (31 catches on 62 targets) with an opposing passer rating of just 53.6. 

If McCoy was to return for the start of the season, the Vols would be solid at the cornerback position, with Rickey Gibson III, Boo Carter, and Colorado transfer Colton Hood available.  With defensive front stalwarts James Pearce, Jr., Omarr Norman-Lott, and Elijah Simmons off to the NFL, the Vols' secondary might not have quite as much of a suffocating pass rush working in front of them, so they might be under the gun a bit more in 2025. 

We'll see in fall camp just how much McCoy is doing.  If he's able to beat the clock and take the field in Atlanta against Syracuse, Tennessee's defense will be starting the season with plenty of momentum.