With the NFL Draft just a couple of months out, two Tennessee defensive backs are making serious noise in the first-round conversation. According to the latest projections, both Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood are slated to come off the board early, with McCoy pegged at No. 11 to the Miami Dolphins and Hood going two spots later at No. 13 to the Los Angeles Rams.
Let’s start with McCoy. Despite missing the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, the 6-foot, 193-pound cornerback is still drawing first-round buzz-and for good reason.
Back in 2024, before the injury, McCoy showed elite ball skills, racking up four interceptions and flashing the kind of instincts and fluidity that NFL teams covet. His ability to read quarterbacks and break on the ball stood out on film, and it’s that tape-not just his physical tools-that’s keeping his stock high.
McCoy’s journey has been a winding one. He started his college career at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee, where he quickly made an impact.
Coming out of the portal, he was ranked as the No. 14 cornerback by 247Sports-not exactly top billing, but he outperformed that ranking in a big way. Now, even with the ACL injury on his résumé, a team like the Dolphins-who are always on the hunt for playmakers in the secondary-might be willing to bet on his upside and recovery.
Then there’s Colton Hood, another transfer success story who’s riding a wave of momentum into the draft. Hood, a 6-foot, 195-pound corner, put together a strong 2025 season with 34 solo tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and eight pass deflections. That stat line speaks to his versatility-he’s not just a cover guy, he’s physical, active in run support, and has a knack for getting his hands on the ball.
What really helped Hood’s stock, though, was his performance at the Senior Bowl. In a setting where scouts want to see how prospects handle NFL-level competition and coaching, Hood showed up and showed out.
His footwork, anticipation, and ability to mirror receivers in man coverage stood out in one-on-one drills, and he looked comfortable in zone concepts as well. For a player who transferred twice-starting at Auburn, then Colorado, before landing at Tennessee-his ability to quickly adapt to new systems and still produce is a trait that NFL evaluators won’t overlook.
When Hood entered the portal, he was ranked just 52nd among cornerbacks by 247Sports. That number feels like a distant memory now. His rise speaks to both his talent and his work ethic, and it’s part of what makes him such an intriguing prospect heading into April.
If both McCoy and Hood do hear their names called in the first round, it would mark back-to-back years with first-round selections for Tennessee. Last year, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. went in the first round to the Atlanta Falcons, and now the Vols could be adding two more names to their growing list of NFL talent.
It’s a testament to what Tennessee’s been building on the defensive side of the ball-and a reminder that when it comes to the draft, talent can come from all over the board. Whether it’s a top-ranked transfer or a guy who had to fight his way up the depth chart, the league notices when you make plays. And both McCoy and Hood have done exactly that.