Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy is starting to get all the hype this preseason, and rightfully so.
McCoy was included on the 2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team, which the foundation announced on Tuesday as preseason college football awards and watch lists start to roll in.
2025 Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team includes McCoy
Last season as a sophomore, McCoy was named a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, All-SEC Second Team and Second-Team All-America by Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press, so this preseason recognition is no surprise and more should be on the way before the Volunteers kick off the 2025 season against Syracuse on Saturday, Aug. 30.
McCoy tallied 44 tackles and four interceptions while starting every game at corner in 2024 after transferring from Oregon State. He also defended 13 passes. At Oregon State, McCoy played in every game as a true freshman in 2023.
Against Oklahoma last year, McCoy intercepted a pass and had three tackles before being deemed Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week. He also recorded a career-high eight tackles in a win over Alabama.
Joining McCoy on the Walter Camp Preseason All-America First Team at defensive back was Ohio State's Caleb Downs, Notre Dame's Leonard Moore and Indiana's D'Angelo Ponds. The SEC led all conferences with 16 players between the First and Second Teams, and 11 different schools were represented.
Per the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Walter Camp All-America Team is the oldest in college football since being created in 1889. The 2025 team will be announced in December after being voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.
Last year, the Volunteers had James Pearce Jr. and Cooper Mays on the Walter Camp Preseason All-American First Team. Running back Dylan Sampson then made the All-America Second Team in December after the regular season ended.