There were several key takeaways from Josh Heupel meeting with the media during SEC Media Days. Obviously, Heupel was asked about quarterback Nick Iamaleava and the open competition for the Tennessee football QB1 job. Yup, people can’t wait for the start of fall camp to get here.
However, another main topic of conversation was the health status of standout cornerback Jermod McCoy. The preseason All-American is one of the top returners for the Vols, but he’s a bit banged up right now. In case you forgot, he tore his ACL during an offseason workout while he was home in Texas.
Heupel said that there’s no new update with McCoy, though he’s been hard at work in his rehab and he’s looking good. However, Heupel added that there’s no set timeline for when he’ll be able to practice and that the team is keeping his short-term and long-term health under consideration. Because of this, having him sit out the first two games of the year to not rush him back would make the most sense, right?
Josh Heupel and Tennessee should sit Jermod McCoy for the first two games of the year
Judging from what Heupel told the press in Atlanta this week, it seems like there’s still more progress that needs to be made before McCoy is cleared for all football activities. It’s going to take him some time to get back to full speed too, which is something the Vols are surely aware of.
Come Aug. 30, Tennessee will start the season with a non-conference matchup against Syracuse. After that, the stands at Neyland Stadium are going to be packed for the home-opener for 2025 - East Tennessee State will be in Knoxville on Sept. 6.
If all goes to plan, the Vols will start the season 2-0 and have plenty of confidence leading up to the massive Week 3 showdown against Kirby Smart and Georgia. Gunner Stockton is taking over the UGA offense for Carson Beck and he’s going to want to make a statement.
This is the kind of contest that Tennessee will need to make sure that McCoy is ready for. Imagine the program brings him back for Week 1 and he has a setback? That’d be a complete and total nightmare. Instead, give him those extra two weeks to rest so that he can help silence Stockton and the Dawgs. This seems like an easy and obvious call for Heupel.