Tennessee football has come a long way in its secondary from when Josh Heupel first arrived on Rocky Top. At that point, Tennessee's defensive backs were a weakness and a clear area for improvement if the Vols wanted to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Heupel and the Vols addressed their defensive needs and have built a strong defensive secondary, including bringing in two potential first-round picks at corner.
CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson has released his second mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Wilson has a pair of Tennessee cornerbacks projected to be taken in the first round of next year's draft, but Jermod McCoy is no longer CB1 in the draft, or for the Vols.
Colton Hood is projected to be the first Tennessee player off the board next spring, going No. 13 overall to the Chicago Bears.
"Colton Hood, who is still 20 years old, is a physical, aggressive CB who has excellent man and zone coverage skills, is consistently in phase, and creates opportunities for PBUs and interceptions," Wilson writes. "He shows elite change-of-direction ability in space, drives on quick routes and screens, and is a reliable wrap-up tackler who can limit YAC against shifty ball-carriers."
Jermod McCoy, however, is projected to be drafted ten spots later at No. 23 overall by the Indianapolis Colts. That could change, though, once McCoy returns to the field. Wilson notes that McCoy could be CB1 in this year's draft class by the end of the season.
"Jermod McCoy is a physical corner who can play man on an island and is also comfortable in zone looks," Wilson writes. "He's in phase on vertical routes, and in run support, he comes downhill looking to thump someone. He's coming off a January ACL injury, and while he's yet to get back on the field, he could end up being the best CB in this class."
Wilson has five corners taken in the first round of next year's draft. Hood is the second corner taken, while McCoy is the fifth. The first corner taken in this mock draft is LSU's Mansoor Delane, who is projected to be drafted No. 12 overall to the Los Angeles Rams.
McCoy has already been ruled out for this weekend's Arkansas game, but once he returns to the field, the Vols could have the best corner duo in the country if he returns at full strength.