Jermod McCoy Runs 4.38-Second 40-Yard Dash at Tennessee Pro Day Before 2026 NFL Draft

Jermod McCoy participated in Tennessee's Pro Day on March 31, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The event served as a showcase for college players entering the NFL Draft. McCoy, a 20-year-old cornerback, had not competed publicly since suffering a torn ACL in January 2025, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.

Despite being medically cleared during the 2025 season, McCoy chose not to return to play. He also opted out of drills at the NFL Combine in February 2026, citing the need for more preparation time. His decision to skip the combine had raised questions among NFL scouts about his readiness.

38 seconds. He also completed a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump, followed by positional drills. This performance addressed concerns about his health and athletic ability post-injury.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel observed the event and commented on McCoy's condition. Heupel stated that McCoy appeared to be at full strength. The coach's remarks highlighted McCoy's return to form after over a year away from competition.

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller evaluated McCoy's Pro Day showing. Miller said the performance demonstrated McCoy's explosion and versatility. He noted that scouts had questioned McCoy's participation earlier that day, but the results reaffirmed his status as a top cornerback prospect.

Miller added that the timing of the performance, about 20 days before the draft, could build positive momentum with general managers.

For the Chiefs, McCoy could replace cornerback Trent McDuffie.

He grew up cheering for quarterback Patrick Mahomes and attended the same high school in Texas a decade later. McCoy was coached in baseball by former Mets pitcher Pat Mahomes, the quarterback's father, and was in the same third-grade class as Mahomes' aunt.

In high school at Whitehouse High School in Texas, McCoy excelled in track events like the long jump and triple jump. He was primarily known as a wide receiver on the football field. McCoy recently shared a photo taken with Mahomes when McCoy was 13 years old.

McCoy's college career began with one season at Oregon State. He transferred to Tennessee, where in 2024 he recorded four interceptions and nine pass breakups. That performance earned him second-team All-American honors.

McCoy is competing with LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane to be the first cornerback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. At the NFL Combine, McCoy stated that he felt great about his recovery.

The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to occur in late April. Teams will evaluate prospects like McCoy based on combine, pro day, and college performances. McCoy's event has provided a key update on his draft stock amid his injury history.