Tennessee defensive back makes list of top newcomers in college football

Tennessee jumped into the transfer portal to fix its defensive secondary after struggling mightily in the secondary the past few seasons. It was the Achilles heel for the Vols, but the new and improved group is settling in with new guys throughout the secondary, young and old. 

One of Tennessee's safeties, sophomore Jermod McCoy, has been named one of ESPN's top 50 newcomers in college football. ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Max Olson curated the list of the most impactful newcomers throughout college football after the season's halfway point. 

The sophomore corner transferred to Tennessee this past offseason from Oregon State. He was the biggest transfer player that came to Tennessee to revamp its secondary with MTSU's Jakobe Thomas. McCoy has been great in the season's first half, and ESPN recognizes him for that. 

"McCoy started five games as a true freshman for Oregon State before making his move to the SEC," wrote Lederman and Olson. "The 6-foot, 193-pound corner is still young and growing but is off to a terrific start for the Vols, allowing just nine catches for 107 yards in pass coverage, according to TruMedia, with four pass breakups plus an interception in their road win at Oklahoma."

He's only a sophomore and joins sophomore Rickey Gibson III and true freshman Boo Carter in the secondary, both giving Tennessee a very bright future for the next few years on the back half of the Vols' defense. 

McCoy does a lot for Tennessee. On top of being the best corner on the roster, he also returns punts for the Vols, which he has also been successful doing so far this season. 

Tennessee will have to lean on its secondary again, with Alabama coming to town this Saturday. Jalen Milroe and true freshman receiver Ryan Williams have the potential to make explosive play after explosive play, so Josh Heupel will look to McCoy to shut down any big plays from the Tide.