Jermod McCoy finally hears his name called in the NFL Draft

Sep 21, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) reacts after making an interception during the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s long wait is over. Considered a top-15 talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, medical concerns over a knee injury suffered ahead of the season saw the talented cornerback slide out of the first round, and then out of the second day entirely.

When the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft began McCoy was still available, and some were wondering if his slide would continue. The Las Vegas Raiders put an end to that, moving up one spot at the start of the fourth round to make McCoy their newest cornerback. Again, based on the film McCoy put down during the 2024 season at Tennessee, he is one of the top players in this class.

Take this example, an interception against Alabama in the end zone: I love everything about this play. One of McCoy’s strengths, in my viewing, is his patience in press coverage situations. He does not panic when a receiver tries to stress his leverage, but rather he waits … and then strikes.

That is exactly what he does here, timing his jam to perfection before getting his eyes to the football. Here is another example, which comes on a 4th-and-2 situation against Florida. McCoy is aligned at the bottom of the screen: He is giving the wide receiver this slant route, and again he does not panic when the receiver cuts inside of him.