Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy made an immediate impact after transferring to Tennessee from Oregon State. He immediately found the field as a starter and quickly became Tennessee's premier defender in the secondary.
On3 Sports ranked the top 100 players in college football ahead of the 2025 season, and McCoy was ranked inside the top 20 after a standout season on Rocky Top.
McCoy was ranked as the No. 2 corner, No. 3 defensive back, and No. 17 overall player in college football for this season.
He finished the year with four interceptions and 44 tackles, helping lead the Vols to a College Football Playoff appearance. His impact might be minimized during the 2025 season as he continues to recover from an offseason injury suffered soon after Tennessee's loss to Ohio State.
"McCoy blossomed during his sophomore season," On3 Sports' Thomas Goldkamp writes. "He's fluid and fast with pretty good results shielding targets.
"His 11 overall forced incompletions are the most of any returning SEC DB. Specializing as a zone cover corner, only two returning CBs top his 87.5 PFF grade spot dropping."
He quickly climbed the ranks of SEC defensive backs and made himself known as one of the best corners and defenders in college football's toughest conference.
McCoy is the only Tennessee player to make the top 100 after spring practice, although former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is ranked No. 83 on the list.
On3 Sports named Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as the No. 1 player in college football, followed by South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart at No. 2, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 3, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons at No. 4, and Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt at No. 5.
Alabama receiver Ryan Williams comes in at No. 6, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore at No. 7, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers at No. 8, Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. at No. 9, and Texas quarterback Arch Manning to round out the top-ten.