Jermod McCoy (3) celebrates a pass breakup during a game against UTEP at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Cole Moore/RTI
Tennessee football star cornerback Jermod McCoy has been diligently working his way back from his ACL injury, but is yet to play a snap for the Vols this season. However, with UT concluding its regular season vs. Vanderbilt on Saturday, McCoy is still listed as ‘out’ on the availability report.
Last Wednesday, ahead of UT’s win over New Mexico State, Heupel commented on the chances that McCoy could play this year. Considering the increasing lack of interest in non-playoff postseason games, it feels extremely unlikely that McCoy will suit up as a Vol again, considering he is a projected first-round NFL draft pick.
“Jermod, I’ve said it throughout the course of the season, and obviously, a tough injury for him and for us while we were off last January before we came back and started our off-season, he’s done a great job,” Heupel said on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Competed really hard and been a great teammate throughout all of the rehab process. Continues to do more on the football side of it. Don’t have an expectation for this Saturday yet, but he continues to do the right things to give himself a chance here at the end of the year.”
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In his first year with UT, McCoy managed 44 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss. He came up with four interceptions, as well, including a one-handed snag against Ryan Williams of Alabama and a circus catch in the end zone at Vanderbilt.
Tennessee has also been without its other projected starting corner going into the year. After just a handful of plays against Syracuse, Rickey Gibson III went down with an injury that he is still recovering from. On the availability report, he remains inactive.
“Rickey will be out for an extended period here,” Heupel said on the Monday following his injury. “How long? I don’t have the exact timeline on, but he’ll be out for an extended time.”
Gibson entered his junior year as a second-year starter with high expectations. He was named a Preseason All-SEC Third-Team member by Athlon. As a sophomore, he produced 32 tackles, two tackles for loss, five passes defended and a forced fumble.
Without McCoy or Gibson, it’s been Colton Hood and Ty Redmond holding it down. Hood, a Colorado transfer, has been a breakout star who’s played his way into a possible first-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft. Redmond is a true freshman who has played nearly every snap at corner since Gibson’s injury. William Wright has been the first option off the bench, but has only sparingly seen the field.