Vols’ Jermod McCoy lands on PFF Preseason All-America Team

There is no official timetable for Jermod McCoy's return, but it hasn't stopped the Tennessee defensive back from garnering all kinds of offseason recognition.

Multiple 2026 mock drafts have McCoy, who starred in his first season in the Vols' secondary last season before being sidelined this past spring with an ACL injury, as a potential first round pick, while other outlets have listen him as the key returning piece to Tennessee's defense in 2025.

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Pro Football Focus is the latest to recognize McCoy, naming him to its Preseason All-American team.

The outlet previously named McCoy as the No. 15 overall pick in the next NFL Draft.

"The current favorite to be the top corner selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was a lockdown player for the Volunteers after transferring from Oregon State," PFF's Max Chadwick wrote. "His 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.

"McCoy has great ball skills with phenomenal movement ability, scoring a near-perfect 99.9 in PFF's Game Athleticism Score metric."

The 6-foot, 193-pound McCoy bolstered the Tennessee secondary in his first season with the program after transferring from Oregon State, totaling 44 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions during the Vols' run to the College Football Playoff.

McCoy had two game-changing interceptions in Tennessee's wins over Alabama and Vanderbilt in its regular season finale to lock up its playoff bid.

It was McCoy's one-handed interception of Jalen Milroe in the end zone that robbed the Crimson Tide of a touchdown in a 24-17 Vols' triumph. With Tennessee trailing by multiple scores in the first half, McCoy intercepted Diego Pavia on a heave to the end zone to keep the Commodores from scoring.

Along with Rickey Gibson III, McCoy helped make up one of the best corner duos in the SEC and are expected to provide the Vols' defense with much of the same in 2025.

McCoy missed all of spring practices after suffering an ACL injury during offseason training, though reports have indicated that the coaching staff expects him back early in the season.

"We all know that whatever time the injuries happen, that you're going to have to be able to adapt and adjust," Tennessee defensive backs coach Willie Martinez said on March 27. "Everybody says it all the time, next man up. We know that Jermod (McCoy)) is going to be back. We know he's a great player and leader. He's doing an unbelievable job.

"He's engaged and is actually growing as a player even though he's not physically going through it. He's setting the example and leading it."

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