Tennessee football could have another first-round pick on its roster as we conclude the NFL Draft season and begin way-too-early mock drafts for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Vols cornerback Jermod McCoy has been listed on multiple 2026 mock drafts, including CBS Sports' way-too-early prediction.
Since it is never too early to look ahead to next year's draft, let's see where McCoy is projected to land after college teams wrap up spring camp throughout college football.
CBS Sports has McCoy being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers with the No. 20 overall pick in next year's draft.
"McCoy had four interceptions last season after transferring in from Oregon State," CBS Sports' Josh Edwards shares. "He has good size and the ball production to match. Jim Harbaugh nabs a ball hawk for the secondary in the first round."
This would make it back-to-back drafts in which the Vols have a player taken in the first round after James Pearce Jr. was drafted No. 26 overall by the Atlanta Falcons this year.
McCoy is also projected to be the first cornerback taken off the board at No. 20 overall and only the second defensive back drafted to that point.
Georgia corner Daylen Everette and Texas corner Malik Muhammad are also projected to be drafted with McCoy in the first round, but Everette fell at No. 24 to the Green Bay Packers, and Muhammed fell at No. 27 to the Los Angeles Rams.
Unfortunately, Tennessee fans might not see much of McCoy throughout the 2025 season. He is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered soon after Tennessee's College Football Playoff loss and is set to miss the start of the season.
McCoy's absence from Tennessee's secondary will certainly hurt the Vols' defense until he completes his recovery and rejoins the team.
His injury doesn't seem to hinder his draft projection too much, though, as CBS keeps McCoy projected in the top 20 in next year's draft.
If McCoy can complete his rehab timely and return to play in time to make an impact on Tennessee's defense, he could see a jump in his draft stock by this time next year.