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Tennessee's Jermod McCoy ranked as No. 2 returning corner in college football in 2025

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/18/25•

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Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy. Credit: UT Athletics
Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy. Credit: UT Athletics

Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy is the second-best returning cornerback in college football in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore was the only corner ranked ahead of McCoy. 

“The current favorite to be the top corner selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, McCoy was a lockdown player for the Volunteers after transferring in from Oregon State,” PFF’s Max Chadwick and Trevor Sikkema wrote.

“His 89.6 PFF coverage grade in 2024 is second among returning Power Four corners, while his four interceptions were tied for second in that same group.”

Moore in his freshman season at Notre Dame in 2024 had 48 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 11 passes defended. 

“Moore finished his true freshman season as the third-most-valuable corner in college football according to PFF’s wins above average metric,” Chadwick wrote, “trailing only Jahdae Barron and Travis Hunter. He was especially good in Notre Dame’s man-heavy scheme, as his 82.5 grade in man coverage was third among all corners in the nation. 

“The former three-star recruit is a smooth athlete at 6-foot-2 who mirrors receivers at an elite level already. In fact, he only allowed 16 of his 42 targets in single coverage to be caught.” 

‘McCoy could be CB1 next year if his game continues to ascend’

McCoy tore his ACL during offseason training in January and did not go through spring practice with Tennessee.

His breakout season at Tennessee in 2024 included 44 tackles and nine passes defended to go with the four interceptions, which he returned for 71 yards.

He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee. 

Jermod McCoy projected to be first corner taken in 2026 NFL Draft

McCoy is widely projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, including mock drafts from The Athletic, USA Today, Todd McShay, ESPN and CBS Sports.

The Athletic projected McCoy the highest at No. 11 overall to the Miami Dolphins while CBS Sports had the lowest projection, at No. 20 to the Los Angeles Chargers.

“His ball instincts consistently stood out when I studied Tennessee’s defense last season,” The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote. 

McCoy is “an active, physical corner,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid added. “He exhibits great awareness and has a quick read on routes run in his coverage. He had four interceptions and eight pass breakups last season, so the ball skills are there, too. McCoy could be CB1 next year if his game continues to ascend.”

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