Jermod McCoy announced he is entering the 2026 NFL Draft, ending his Tennessee football career after missing the 2025 season with an injury following a decorated 2024 season.
The junior cornerback announced his decision on Instagram on Dec. 10.
“Even though my time on the field was cut short, I will be forever grateful for my time here at the University of Tennessee,” McCoy wrote. “It has been a true honor, and I’m appreciative for every moment I had in the orange and white.”
The 6-foot, 193-pound McCoy earned first-team All-SEC honors and was second-team All-America in 2024. He was also a semifinalist for the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football’s best defensive back. He tore his ACL during a training session in January.
McCoy returned to UT practices in early August for individual work, but did not take contact or participate in live drills.
He is projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
McCoy is entering the NFL draft with two seasons of college eligibility remaining. He would have received a redshirt due to the injury. His decision to enter the draft is unsurprising given his standing despite missing his final season of college football.
McCoy thanked the Tennessee coaches, the academic staff, his teammates, his family and Tennessee fans in his announcement on Instagram. He said he “will be forever indebted” to “everyone who has given me the opportunity to chase this dream.”
The Vols started Colton Hood and Ty Redmond at cornerback with McCoy sidelined and starter Rickey Gibson II suffering a season-ending injury against Syracuse on Aug. 30. Hood, a redshirt sophomore, also could enter the NFL draft early.
McCoy was a star for Tennessee in 2024, his first season at UT after transferring from Oregon State. He led the Vols with 13 passes defended with four interceptions and nine pass breakups. He had two interceptions in the end zone. He made 44 tackles as part of a Tennessee defense that helped the Vols reach the College Football Playoff for the first time.
McCoy had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.