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Tennessee

Vols boast three preseason All-SEC selections by media

On3 imageby: Eric Cain07/18/25_Cainer
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Southeastern Conference Media week has wrapped up from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga. and with that comes the preseason voting of all-conference. The league’s media in attendance voted three Vols as preseason All-SEC, began with an All-American at cornerback.

Jermod McCoy was the lone first-team honor for Tennessee ahead of the 2025 season. He leads the way for three defenders, which also includes defensive back Boo Carter and linebacker Arion Carter, both who received third-team recognition.

McCoy is coming off a breakout season in his first year at Tennessee, finishing with 44 tackles, nine passes defended and four interceptions last season. He had 31 tackles and two interceptions in 12 games as a freshman at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee.

McCoy is the biggest piece in a Tennessee defense that finished No. 7 nationally and No. 2 in the SEC in scoring defense last season, carrying the Vols to the 12-team College Football Playoff in December. McCoy, who is continuing the rehabilitation process after tearing his ACL during offseason workouts in January, is widely projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, as one of the top defensive backs, if not the top corner, available.

Boo Carter, a former four-star from Bradley Central High School, took over the nickelback position in a starting capacity midway through the season but received plenty of playing time all year long. The true freshman totaled 35 tackles with one interception and one sack in 12 regular season games and was named the SEC Freshman of the Week following the Florida victory when he picked off a pass in the second half.

The athlete played a total of 387 snaps in the regular season with career-high 45 snaps against Alabama on the Third Saturday in October. Carter also excelled as a punt returner when placed in the position midway through the conference slate, averaging 16.5 yards on 12 returns.

Arion Carter was Tennessee’s leading tackler a season ago finishing with 68 tackles including 6.5 for loss, an interception, 6 PBU’s and 3 quarterback hurries.

The linebacker has been one of the Vols most vocal leaders and one of the most dedicated workers over the last two seasons in Knoxville. The in-state native has transitioned well from high school running back to linebacker.

“The element that he has, something that you can’t coach, is his speed and his quickness,” linebackers coach William Inge said. “He is elusive when he’s on the football field, almost like a cheetah. So it’s great to have a linebacker that can move like that, but have the body that he has from a physical nature. So he’s someone we’re going to be able to really utilize in the days, years, and games to come.”

Tennessee opens training camp later this month, with the season opener against Syracuse on August 30 (Noon Eastern Time, ABC) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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