Jermod McCoy injury update: Josh Heupel reveals where Tennessee CB is at in his recovery

Tennessee‘s All-SEC defensive back Jermod McCoy tore his ACL in January during an off-season training session. His status remains in the air heading into the 2025 season.

During SEC Media Days, Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel provided an update on McCoy’s recovery. He revealed if he had a specific timeline for his recovery.

“I don’t,” Heupel said. “I think, with the injury and his rehab process, it’s how he encounters the next phase, the next stage, as he continues to prepare himself and get ready to play. I saw him the other day as he’s going through his rehab, he looks really good. His movement skills are good. It’s a progression throughout the course of the end of the summer and through training camp.

“We’ll figure that out as we get into the season. Keep in mind, obviously, we want him. He’s a huge part of us defensively, but his short term and long term health (are important) as well.”

McCoy is coming off a strong season for the Volunteers. Starting all 12 games for Tennessee during the regular season, he logged 44 total tackles, seven pass breakups and four interceptions — tied for second in the SEC with teammate Will Brooks, among others. His efforts saw him finish as one of 14 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe award.

He transferred into the program after spending his freshman season at Oregon State, but decided to transfer after the Pac-12 disbanded during last offseason’s conference realignment. McCoy arrived in Knoxville and made an instant impact in the Volunteers’ secondary. His freshman season was almost just as productive, seeing him log 31 tackles, seven PBUs and two interceptions in his first season of college football.

Before college, McCoy was largely overlooked coming out of Whitehouse (Tx) High School. He was a three-star prospect according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was the No. 1,415 overall player in the 2023 class and the No. 227 player from his home state.

Now looked at as one of the most dynamic defensive backs in the SEC, McCoy will hope to be ready for Tennessee’s season opener against Syracuse on Aug. 30. For now, it appears that Heupel’s star defender is still in his rehab process as he looks toward finding his way onto the field sometime during his junior season in college football.