2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee’s Star Cornerback

TITLE: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jermod McCoy, Tennessee’s Star Cornerback

Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy is shaping up as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-1 and 188 pounds, the projected first-round pick brings elite size, speed, and ball skills to the cornerback position. Over the past two seasons, McCoy has emerged as one of the best cover corners in the SEC, helping the Volunteers reach the College Football Playoff in 2024 before missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL.

McCoy’s strengths lie in his physicality and coverage versatility. He is a natural press-man corner with the strength to jam receivers at the line and reroute them off their routes. His burst to close and ability to read the quarterback make him a threat in both man and zone coverage. In 2023, he recorded 31 tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups as a freshman. That production only increased in 2024, when he tallied 44 tackles, four interceptions, and seven more breakups.

McCoy’s upside is clear. He attacks the ball with confidence and has the hands to make plays on passes. His instincts in coverage and ability to turn and run with vertical threats suggest a high NFL ceiling. Scouts are already drawing comparisons to former Alabama standout Marlon Humphrey, a Pro Bowl performer and two-time Super Bowl champion.

However, McCoy has some areas to refine. His off-man coverage technique is not as polished, and he occasionally grabs at the top of routes, which could lead to pass interference penalties in the NFL. His run defense was adequate but not dominant, a factor that teams will monitor as he returns from injury.

McCoy is expected to be among the top 25 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. His combination of size, speed, and physicality fits well with teams looking for a shutdown corner in the mold of Humphrey. As he continues his rehab, the focus will be on his recovery timeline and how quickly he can return to form.