With the college football season reaching the midway point, experts are beginning to collect enough data and see enough film to start ranking 2026 NFL Draft prospects. In the case of Tennessee, multiple players are getting looked at as potential high draft picks.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper put together his first big board this week, ranking prospects across the country for a top 25 and rankings by position. Across his position rankings, he named four Vols as potential picks.
The top prospect among the group is cornerback Jermod McCoy. Despite not playing yet this season due to an off-season ACL injury, McCoy’s draft stock hasn’t wavered. Even if he doesn’t play a snap as a junior, he’s likely still going to be selected in the first round.
Kiper placed McCoy at No. 13 overall among prospects across all positions. Naturally, this puts him as the top cornerback in the class.
“McCoy hasn’t played yet in 2025 after suffering a torn ACL in January, but he still has the chance to be the first cornerback off the board in April,” Kiper wrote. “He began his college career at Oregon State, picking off two passes there in 2023. McCoy’s ball-hawking traits really emerged once transferring to Tennessee, as he picked off four passes and broke up nine last season. Even if he doesn’t make it back onto the field this season, his on-the-ball production will get Day 1 interest.”
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Tennessee may have a pair of cornerbacks drafted, as well. First-year Vol Colton Hood has been a breakout star in the secondary as a lockdown option without McCoy or Rickey Gibson III. He is placed as the No. 5 cornerback in the draft class by Kiper.
Also on defense, outside linebacker Joshua Josephs is getting draft buzz. He’s considered the No. 3 player at the position. This is the same role that Byron Young and James Pearce Jr. played with UT before moving on to the pros.
On offense, wide receiver Chris Brazzell has begun to get buzz as one of the top receivers. Despite a lack of production in the face of consistent double teams vs. Arkansas this past week, he’s the No. 6 receiver on Kiper’s board to this point.
Some draft-eligible players from Tennessee that aren’t listed but could play their way into draft picks include quarterback Joey Aguilar, tight end Miles Kitselman, left tackle Lance Heard, defensive tackles Bryson Eason, Jaxson Moi and Daevin Hobbs, defensive ends Dominic Bailey and Tyre West, outside linebacker Caleb Herring and linebacker Arion Carter.
