Tennessee just had one defensive player go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and could have another next year according to Pro Football Focus.

Jermod McCoy, who bolstered the Vols’ secondary after transferring from Oregon State last season, is projected to be the 15th overall pick to the Miami Dolphins in 2026 in PFF’s "way-too-early" mock draft.

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Tennessee EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr. went in the first round as the 26th overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons over the weekend.

McCoy, who the Vols only returning All-American, figures to be a key part of the defense again at cornerback in his second season with the program, though he missed the spring with an ACL injury that he sustained in offseason training.

"The Dolphins have serious concerns in their secondary amid safety Jevon Holland‘s departure in free agency and cornerback Jalen Ramsey‘s rumored exit via trade," PFF's Dalton Wasserman wrote. "Miami addresses the future of its defensive backfield with McCoy here. His 89.6 PFF coverage grade in 2024 ranks second among returning Power Four cornerbacks, while his four interceptions are tied for second.

McCoy has great ball skills with phenomenal movement ability, scoring a near-perfect 99.9 in PFF's Game Athleticism Score metric. He, unfortunately, suffered a torn ACL in January, so it’s unknown if he’ll be able to play in 2025."

Tennessee is hopeful that McCoy can rejoin the team early in the 2025 season, though there isn't an official timeline for his return.

The 6-foot, 193-pound McCoy, along with Rickey Gibson III made for one the best corner duos in the SEC last season. He started 12 games during the Vols' run to the College Football Playoff and led the team with 13 passes defended, including four interceptions and nine pass breakups.

Perhaps McCoy's biggest moment was his one-handed interception in the end zone to rob Alabama of a touchdown in Tennessee's 24-17 win over the Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium in October.

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According to PFF McCoy's 90.3 coverage grade ranked second among SEC defensive backs and fifth nationally.

A repeat performance in his junior campaign and a full recovery from injury could land McCoy as a top 15 pick in next year's draft.

The Vols had four players drafted in 2025 with Pearce becoming the second player in three years to go in the first round.

Defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott went in the second round as the 63rd overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. and running back Dylan Sampson, who were both fourth round selections at the 108th and 126th overall picks to the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns, respectively.

Tennessee has had 17 players taken the first six rounds under Josh Heupel.

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