Feb. 18, 2026, 12:01 a.m. ET
It is never too early to evaluate impact defensive backs for the 2026 NFL Draft. General manager Jason Licht has consistently prioritized length, ball skills, and man-coverage ability in the secondary, and Todd Bowles’ defensive system demands cornerbacks who can survive on an island when pressure packages are dialed up. High-level coverage defenders are premium assets in today’s NFL.
We are working through each position group this cycle. With that in mind, here is our report on Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy.
InformationSchool: TennesseeConference: SECPosition: CornerbackHeight Weight: 6-0, 193 poundsClass: JuniorHometown: Whitehouse, TexasPrevious School: Oregon StateBackground
McCoy began his collegiate career at Oregon State, where he immediately flashed as a true freshman starter before transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2024 season. In his first year in the SEC, he elevated his profile dramatically.
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In 2024, McCoy earned Second-Team All-America honors and was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist. He started all 13 games and led Tennessee with 13 passes defended, including four interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, his 89.6 coverage grade ranked among the top cornerbacks nationally. He allowed just one touchdown during the regular season across 640 defensive snaps.
During the 2025 offseason, McCoy suffered a torn ACL while training and did not play during the 2025 season as he rehabbed the injury. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft following the year.
Notable Stats696 total snaps89.6 coverage grade87.0 overall defensive gradeFour interceptionsNine pass breakups44 tacklesAllowed just one touchdown
McCoy’s 2024 campaign stands as the primary evaluation season for NFL teams.
SkillsElite man coverage instinctsSmooth hips and transition abilityStrong ball skills at the catch pointCompetitive in contested situationsGood size and length for an outside cornerPhysical tackler in spaceExperience against SEC competition
McCoy plays with confidence and patience at the line of scrimmage. He is comfortable in press-man coverage and shows the fluidity to mirror receivers through breaks. His ability to track and attack the football is evident in both his interception production and pass breakups.
He also demonstrates awareness in zone concepts, reading quarterbacks, and undercutting routes. His background as a multi-sport athlete shows in his body control and timing at the catch point.
Player Summary
On tape, Jermod McCoy is a Round 1 caliber cornerback with legitimate CB1 upside. His 2024 season in the SEC placed him among the nation’s top coverage defenders, and his skill set translates cleanly to the NFL level.
However, medical evaluations will ultimately dictate his draft range. Depending on how teams assess his ACL recovery, McCoy could be one of the first corners off the board or slide deeper into Round 1 or even Round 2. The talent is evident. The determining factor will be confidence in his long-term health.
In Tampa Bay, a healthy McCoy would fit seamlessly into Todd Bowles’ aggressive coverage schemes. His ability to hold up in man coverage would allow Bowles to maintain pressure-heavy packages while trusting McCoy to handle perimeter assignments. If medically cleared, he profiles as a potential long-term starting outside corner with high-end upside.