With the biggest game of the season so far on the horizon, the Tennessee Volunteers are still without their star defensive backs: juniors Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III.
No. 15 Tennessee is set to face No. 6 Georgia at home this Saturday, the first ranked matchup and first SEC game of the Vols’ season.
Even without your defensive secondary in tip-top shape, your team has to defend the pass game, especially against a team that’s already racked up nearly 500 yards through the air. So, with McCoy and Gibson sidelined, which Vols are next up on the depth chart to lock down the Dawgs’ receivers?
Who is in Tennessee’s defensive secondary?
For starters, the Volunteers knew that McCoy might not be available to start the season, suffering a torn ACL in January of this year during offseason training. However, Gibson was only recently hurt, injuring his arm in Tennessee’s season opener against Syracuse.
Gibson didn’t appear in Week 2 against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, but the team wasn’t certain of his status for Week 3. Now, it is looking nearly certain that neither defensive back will be lining up against Georgia.
Instead, similarly to Tennessee’s 55-point victory over East Tennessee State, defensive backs Colton Hood, Ty Redmond, and Edrees Farooq will likely lead the secondary in Week 3.
The Volunteers will also have to rely more heavily on their defensive line and pass rush defense, leaning on sophomore defensive lineman Jordan Ross and linebackers Jaedon Harmon.
How good are Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III?
McCoy transferred to Tennessee after starting his collegiate career with the Oregon State Beavers. In 2024, he earned 44 total tackles, seven pass deflections, and four interceptions as the Vols’ opposing quarterbacks quickly learned not to target receivers in his vicinity.
Gibson, who is in his third year with the Volunteers, earned 32 tackles, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble last season, gradually stepping into his role as a veteran DB on Tennessee’s defense.
Tennessee and Georgia kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 13, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.