With the college football season officially in the books, it’s time to shift gears into NFL Draft mode - and Tennessee is firmly in the spotlight. The Volunteers have a handful of prospects making the leap to the next level, and two of them just landed in the first round of Mel Kiper Jr.’s opening mock draft of the year. Let’s break it down.
No. 13 - Los Angeles Rams - CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
There’s no denying Jermod McCoy’s talent. The former Tennessee cornerback showed elite instincts and ball skills during his lone season in Knoxville, but he’s one of the trickier evaluations in this class.
After tearing his ACL in January 2025, McCoy didn’t play a single snap last season. That’s going to put his medical evaluations under the microscope at the NFL Combine, where teams will be looking for reassurance that he’s still the explosive playmaker he was in 2024.
Now, we’ve seen high-end prospects go early in the draft despite missing a season - think Ja’Marr Chase, Penei Sewell, Micah Parsons, Rashawn Slater - but those were COVID opt-outs. Coming off a major injury is a different conversation entirely.
Still, McCoy’s tape from 2024 is hard to ignore. He racked up four interceptions and nine pass breakups that year, and it wasn’t just the volume - it was the timing.
McCoy came up big in the biggest moments, flipping games with key interceptions against Alabama, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt. That kind of clutch gene doesn’t go unnoticed in NFL war rooms.
For the Rams, who just rode a strong cornerback unit to the NFC Championship Game, McCoy could be the missing piece. Despite their success, L.A. still gave up 7.6 yards per pass attempt - tied for the fifth-highest mark in the league.
They’ve gotten solid production from their current group, but they don’t have a true CB1. If McCoy checks out medically, he could be exactly that.
No. 26 - Buffalo Bills - WR Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
Late in the first round, finding a wide receiver with true WR1 upside isn’t easy - but Chris Brazzell might just be that guy. At 6-foot-5 with long arms, reliable hands, and excellent body control, Brazzell looks the part of a red-zone nightmare and a contested-catch specialist.
But he’s more than just a jump-ball threat. He’s got the burst to separate out of his breaks and the kind of smooth explosiveness that translates to the next level.
Brazzell posted over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns this past season, emerging as one of the SEC’s most dangerous weapons. After transferring from Tulane, he put it all together in 2025 with Joey Aguilar under center, becoming a go-to target and a matchup problem for every defense he faced. His production, paired with his physical tools, makes him a strong candidate to go in the top 50 - and Mel Kiper has him sneaking into Round 1.
For Buffalo, this would be a high-upside swing on a player who fits exactly what they need: size, vertical ability, and a wide catch radius. With several receivers projected to go early - Brazzell would be the sixth wideout off the board in this mock - the Bills may need to act fast if they want to land a big-bodied weapon for Josh Allen.
Other Tennessee Prospects to Watch
Beyond McCoy and Brazzell, Tennessee has more talent heading to the pros. Cornerback Colton Hood, a Colorado transfer, stepped into a major role this season due to early injuries and didn’t miss a beat. His play caught the attention of NFL scouts quickly, and he’s a name to watch as a potential first-round riser.
Edge rusher Joshua Josephs is another Volunteer expected to come off the board, likely on Day 2. He’s got the athleticism and motor that teams covet at the position.
Tight end Miles Kitselman could hear his name called in the later rounds, while linebacker Arion Carter - who initially declared - has decided to return to school, giving Tennessee a key piece back on defense.
The Volunteers are sending serious talent to the next level this year, and with two projected first-rounders already on the board, Tennessee’s imprint on the 2026 NFL Draft is only just beginning.