This off-season, Tennessee football cornerback Jermod McCoy has consistently found himself on lists featuring the top players in college football.

One notable list didn't include the PFF Preseason All-American and projected first-round pick, though.

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg put together a list of the 25 non-quarterbacks across the country to keep an eye on. He wrote that he asked coaches and others around the country for their thoughts on who to include on the list.

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While McCoy didn't make the cut, there were multiple defensive backs who made the list. Caleb Downs of Ohio State and Chandler Rivers of Duke were both included.

Other SEC players included Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., Texas A&M running back Le'Veon Moss, Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks and Gators running back Jadan Baugh.

McCoy began his career at Oregon State. As a true freshman that was under-recruited, he played in 12 games and started in five. In that time, he led the team with nine passes defended to go with seven pass breakups, two interceptions and 31 tackles.

Afterward, he entered the transfer portal and made his way to Tennessee. In Knoxville, he showed the qualities of a star defensive back early in his tenure.

After starting in all 13 games, McCoy notched 13 passes defended with nine pass breakups and four interceptions. This gave him a tie for the SEC lead in interceptions.

His four picks were the most from a Vol since Nigel Warrior grabbed four in the 2019 season.

Memorable interceptions from his first season in orange included a one-handed snag in the end zone against Alabama and grab at Vanderbilt after a deflection.

Before beginning his career with Oregon State, McCoy was a two-star recruit out of Whitehouse, Texas. This is the same town Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is from.

He did not receive any national, state or position rankings as an under-recruited athlete. He picked up offers from Sam Houston, Tulane and Lamar on top of the Beavers. He was once committed to Tulane, but decommitted and ultimately picked Oregon State.

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