Jermod McCoy

Jermod McCoy

Position: Cornerback | School: Tennessee | Class: Junior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 193 lbs | Archetype: Man

College Career Summary

Jermod McCoy’s college trajectory is a story of rapid ascent followed by a challenging rehabilitation. After a promising true freshman season at Oregon State, McCoy transferred to Tennessee in 2024 and immediately became the premier boundary defender in the SEC. He earned First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-American honors, leading a resurgent Vols secondary with his ball-hawking ability.

However, a significant knee injury (ACL) sustained during training in January 2025 drastically altered his junior year. While initially expected to return mid-season, the recovery timeline was extended to ensure his long-term health. McCoy did not see action during the 2025 regular season, choosing instead to focus on his medical rehab before declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft on December 10, 2025. His 2024 film remains the gold standard for his evaluation, showcasing "freakish" athletic transitions and elite route anticipation.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 25

• Total Tackles: 75 (44 in 2024)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 2.0

• Interceptions: 6 (4 in 2024)

• Pass Breakups (PD): 16 (9 in 2024)

• Forced Fumbles: 0 (1 Fumble Recovery)

2025 Season Evaluation

Note: Jermod McCoy did not participate in the 2025 regular season due to a training-related knee injury (ACL) and subsequent rehabilitation. His draft profile is primarily predicated on his dominant 2024 All-SEC season and the medical projections of his recovery.

Opponent	Status	Grade	Key Performance Note
All Regular Season	DNP	N/A	Sidelined; focused on elite-level ACL rehabilitation.
Pre-Draft Medicals	Active	A-	Mental Toughness. Reports indicate he is ahead of schedule for Combine drills.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Elite Mirroring Ability: McCoy possesses "Oily Hips." He can transition 180 degrees without losing momentum, making him an absolute gnat in Man coverage.

• Ball Skills: He tracks the football like a wide receiver (his high school position). He doesn't just disrupt passes; he finishes them with interceptions at the highest point.

• Reactive Quickness: His Acceleration is hyper-elite. Even when a receiver creates a slight window, McCoy's "click-and-close" burst erases the passing lane instantly.

• Technique: Extremely disciplined in Press. He rarely over-commits on the release and maintains a strong jam without losing his footing.

Weaknesses

• Health/Durability: The ACL injury is the primary concern. Scouts will be hyper-focused on his medical checks to ensure he hasn't lost that signature "twitch" or top-end Speed.

• Physicality vs. Run: While a willing tackler, he is a "finesse" corner. He can struggle to shed blocks from physical, climbing offensive linemen in the run game.

• Grabby Tendencies: When isolated on vertical stems, he can occasionally get too handsy downfield, lea

• ding to holding penalties at the NFL level.

Scheme Fit: Ideal CB1 in a Press-Man or Match-Quarters system. He is best utilized on the boundary where he can shadow an opponent's top receiver.

NFL Comparison: Marshon Lattimore (Saints) / Devon Witherspoon

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 16/20 | Attributes: 19/20 | Athleticism: 20/20 | IQ: 19/20

Final Grade: 93/100 (Pre-Injury Base)

Jermod McCoy is a "tape-don't-lie" prospect. His 2024 season was arguably the best cornerback performance in the SEC over the last five years. While the 2025 injury is a significant hurdle, his Mental Toughness and the high pedigree of his medical team suggest a full recovery. Because of the positional value of a true "Lockdown Corner," NFL teams will likely overlook the missed season if he tests well in Indianapolis. He is a premier coverage talent who can take away half the field.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid-to-Late)