The Athletic 2026 Mock Draft has Miami Selecting…

NFLDraftBuzz.com Draft Profile

Draft Profile: Bio

The Whitehouse, Texas product burst onto the national scene after transferring from Oregon State to Tennessee, where his ball-hawking skills transformed the Volunteers’ secondary. McCoy wasn’t exactly a blue-chip recruit coming out of high school – a three-star prospect who excelled as a two-way player and track star in the Lone Star State. His athleticism was never in question (state titles in both long jump and triple jump), but his football instincts took time to develop as he balanced multiple positions and sports.

After cutting his teeth as a freshman at Oregon State (31 tackles, 2 INTs in 12 games), McCoy found his true home in Knoxville where he blossomed into one of college football’s premier corners. In 2024, his first season with the Vols, he racked up 44 tackles while defending 13 passes and snagging 4 interceptions – three of which came inside the opponent’s 3-yard line, showing an uncanny knack for making momentum-shifting plays. The former multi-sport athlete turned heads in the SEC, earning Second-Team All-America honors and finding himself on the Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist list, cementing his status as an elite defensive back.

The path was set for McCoy to build on his breakthrough campaign in 2025, but a torn ACL suffered during an offseason training session in January has temporarily derailed his ascent. The injury comes at a critical juncture for the Volunteers’ defense, as coaches have already noted his development as a vocal leader during rehabilitation. Before the setback, McCoy had established himself as a versatile corner with exceptional ball skills and coverage instincts that translated to an elite 97.2% overall coverage grade – the kind of production that has NFL scouts salivating despite the injury concern.

Scouting Report: Strengths

• Elite ball skills and instincts that translate to turnovers – shows rare spatial awareness to track and high-point passes while maintaining body control through contact.
• Exceptional timing in zone coverage, baits quarterbacks into dangerous throws by appearing to give cushion before closing with explosive burst at perfect moment.
• Shows advanced route recognition beyond his years, rarely fooled by double moves or misdirection – processes route combinations quickly in real time.
• Natural fluidity in his transitions that allows him to mirror receivers through breaks without losing stride or position leverage.
• Brings real dog to the field in contested catch situations – fights through the catch point with violence and doesn’t concede anything even against bigger receivers.
• Displays clinical technique in press coverage, using well-timed jams that disrupt timing without overextending and compromising his position.
• Excels at disguising coverage intentions pre-snap, manipulates quarterback reads by selling false leverage before flipping his hips at the last second.
• Brings added value in return game with natural vision and acceleration – averaged 18.8 yards per punt return in high school and has shown flashes at Tennessee.

Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• January 2025 ACL tear creates medical flag and potential timeline questions for his rookie season – recovery progress will be heavily scrutinized.
• Can occasionally get grabby downfield when beaten, showing inconsistent trust in his recovery speed against vertical routes.
• Needs to improve tackling form in space – sometimes leads with shoulder instead of wrapping up, resulting in missed opportunities against elusive ball carriers.
• Run support engagement can be inconsistent – occasionally takes conservative angles rather than attacking downhill with the same aggression he shows in coverage.
• Despite multi-sport background, doesn’t consistently translate his track explosiveness to football movements, showing good but not elite combine-style measurables.

Scouting Report: Summary

McCoy brings scheme versatility that allows him to excel in multiple systems, though he’ll particularly shine in defenses emphasizing zone pattern-matching concepts. His instinctive understanding of spatial relationships and route combinations allows him to process information faster than most prospects at his position. His timed speed raises questions about his recovery ability against elite NFL deep threats, but his anticipation and technique typically compensate for what he lacks in pure straight-line acceleration.

His ball production isn’t an accident – the former Volunteer displays an authentic nose for the football that can’t be taught. This isn’t just a cornerback who prevents completions; he’s a legitimate turnover creator who can flip field position in an instant. The elite coverage grades back up what the tape shows – a corner who anticipates throws and disrupts passing lanes with exceptional consistency. His technique allows him to play faster than his timed speed, particularly in short and intermediate zones where his click-and-close ability shines.

Evaluating McCoy requires projecting how his game translates against NFL speed while factoring in his ongoing ACL recovery. Defensive coordinators will best maximize his instinctive zone skills by allowing him to read quarterbacks and jump routes rather than asking him to carry vertical threats with no help. Despite the long speed concerns and injury situation, his exceptional football IQ, ball skills, and versatility make him a worthy high selection with legitimate CB1 upside at the next level, provided his rehabilitation continues on schedule.