The Tennessee Volunteers could be making major waves in the 2026 NFL Draft - and not just with one name, but two. Cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are both gaining serious momentum as first-round prospects, and there’s growing buzz that the Los Angeles Rams might snag both of them on Day 1.
Let’s start with McCoy. He’s been on the radar for a while now, firmly entrenched in first-round territory thanks to his consistent play and athletic upside.
Scouts have been high on him throughout the pre-draft process, and his stock hasn’t wavered. He checks the boxes - size, speed, instincts - and projects as a plug-and-play corner at the next level.
But the real riser here is Colton Hood. After transferring in from Colorado, Hood made the most of his lone season in Knoxville.
He stepped into the role of Tennessee’s top corner and didn’t flinch, going toe-to-toe with some of the best receivers the SEC had to offer. His stat sheet pops - two defensive touchdowns, including a pick-six and a scoop-and-score - but it’s his tape and his performance at the Senior Bowl that have really caught the attention of NFL evaluators.
He’s shown he can hold his own in man coverage, and his physicality at the line of scrimmage has been a standout trait.
In a recent mock draft from ESPN’s Field Yates, the Rams are projected to take McCoy at No. 13 overall and Hood at No. 29. That would reunite them with former Vols Byron Young and Jaylen McCollough, already on the Rams’ defense - creating a mini-Tennessee pipeline in Los Angeles.
And if it plays out that way, it wouldn’t just be a feel-good story for Vols fans. It would be historic.
According to ESPN Research, no team has ever taken two players from the same school at the same position in the first round during the common draft era (since 1967). But Yates argues that the Rams’ roster construction - strong across the board but thin in the secondary - makes this a move worth considering.
It’s also worth noting that the Rams just hired former Tennessee cornerbacks coach Michael Hunter Jr. to their staff. While that might raise some eyebrows, there’s no direct coaching connection between Hunter and the two prospects.
Both McCoy and Hood were coached by Willie Martinez, who was part of the previous Vols defensive staff under Tim Banks. Hunter joined the program after the season as part of Jim Knowles’ new defensive regime, meaning he never actually worked with either player on the field.
And here’s another interesting wrinkle: despite being teammates in 2025, McCoy and Hood never actually shared the field in a game. McCoy missed time, and while they were in the same position room and part of the same program, they didn’t line up together on Saturdays. Still, there’s familiarity there - enough to build chemistry quickly if they both land in L.A.
Now, even if the Rams don’t double-dip in the first round, Tennessee fans might still want to keep an eye on Los Angeles. Veteran cornerback Alontae Taylor, another former Vol, is one of the top free agents at the position this offseason. The Rams could make a move to bring him in, further stacking their secondary with Tennessee talent.
Bottom line: the Rams are shaping up as a team to watch closely for Vols fans this draft season. Whether it’s McCoy, Hood, Taylor, or some combination of the three, there’s a real chance that Tennessee’s defensive backfield leaves a lasting imprint on L.A.’s secondary in 2026 and beyond.