If early projections for the 2026 NFL Draft are any indication, Jermod McCoy is in for memorable season at Tennessee.

The highly touted defensive back, who is entering his second year with the Vols, remains a popular name ahead of next year’s draft.

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Pro Football Focus is among the outlets that have been high on McCoy, previously projecting him as a first round pick.

The outlet recently named McCoy as one of 10 defensive backs to know for the 2026 draft.

Avieon Terrell (Clemson), Malik Muhammad (Texas), A.J. Harris (Penn State), Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina), D.J. McKinney (Colorado), Mansoor Delane (LSU), D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana), Chandler Rivers (Duke) and Tacario Davis (Washington) were the others to make the cut.

"McCoy was a lockdown player for the Volunteers after transferring in from Oregon State," PFF's Max Chadwick wrote. "His 89.6 coverage grade in 2024 is second among returning Power Four corners, while his four interceptions were tied for second in that same group.

"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 during offseason workouts, leaving his status for the 2025 season in jeopardy."

The 6-foot, 193-pound McCoy bolstered the Tennessee secondary at cornerback a year ago, appearing in 12 games during the Vols' first-ever College Football Playoff run and making several key plays that helped get them there.

McCoy totaled a team-best four interceptions last season, including his one-handed snag in the end zone that robbed Alabama of a first half touchdown in a 24-17 win at Neyland Stadium.

In Tennessee's regular season finale at Vanderbilt, McCoy intercepted Diego Pavia in the end zone to snuff out a Commodores drive and help spark the Vols' 36-23 come-from-behind victory in Nashville that locked up their playoff bid.

McCoy ranked second in the league in passes defended with 13, and tallied 44 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. But his ACL injury in offseason training that sidelined for all of Tennessee's spring practices raises concerns, according to PFF.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Vols’ Jermod McCoy lands on PFF Preseason All-America Team

There is currently no timeline for McCoy's return. The Vols will begin fall camp in early August and open their 2025 season against Syracuse in Atlanta on Aug. 30.

Rickey Gibson III, who starred at the corner position opposite McCoy last season, returns for his junior season after recording 41 tackles and two tackles for loss as a sophomore in 2024.

Former Temple transfer Jalen McMurray, who flashed his versatility this past spring, also played corner in a backup role last season, while the addition of Colorado transfer Colton Hood this offseason adds more experience to the position.

There is no question that the Vols' defense would benefit most from McCoy's return, sooner rather than later.

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