Jermod McCoy said doctors told him his surgically-repaired knee is healthy and he's ready to play in the NFL, but he'll have a second surgery if the Las Vegas Raiders want him to.
"All my doctors that did my surgery told me that I’m good. I feel like I’m good," McCoy said on April 25. "But if the team wants me to do something for the longevity of my career, I’m willing to do that. I’m going to listen to the team because I feel like they have my best interests in mind."
McCoy, a Tennessee Vols star, was considered the top cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft. But he dropped to the fourth round, where the Raiders took him with the 101st pick, because of concerns over his long-term health.
"It’s definitely difficult. But I know God has a plan for me," McCoy said. "I am just truly blessed that a team took me anyways because this is an achievement to get here in the first place."
McCoy was a 2024 All-American and then suffered a torn ACL during a training session in January 2025. He did not play during Tennessee’s 2025 season but showed progress during individual drills at practice in August.
On March 31, McCoy ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at Tennessee’s pro day. That would've tied for the second-fastest time among cornerbacks at the NFL scouting combine. He recorded a 38-inch vertical jump and 10 feet, 7 inches in the broad jump.
It seemed to solidify him as an elite prospect, but reports early in the draft cast doubt. NFL teams were not concerned about his ACL, according to multiple reports, but they believed that surgery revealed potential degenerative problems in his knee, specifically in regards to a bone plug.
"I was prepared for whatever happened. But I thought I would go a little higher for sure because I had a good pro day, ran some good times and did some good things," McCoy said. "But I was prepared for whatever happened because it’s not in my control. All of it is just motivation fueling me."
When McCoy was passed over in the first round and second and third, he could've turned off the draft. Instead, he said he kept watching it and hoping for an opportunity. The Raiders took him with the first pick on Day 3.
"I was watching for sure. This something you can't take this for granted. This is everyone’s dream," McCoy said. "You can’t just say, ‘I didn’t get drafted, so I’m not fixing to watch the draft anymore.’ This is still a blessing to get drafted. I was watching it. I got the call, and I’m super excited to get to work."
McCoy, 6-foot-1, 188-pounder, has elite athleticism, ideal size, speed, technique, instincts, competitive drive and performance. He excelled at Oregon State. Then he transferred to Tennessee, where he became an All-American and semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football.
But McCoy hasn't played in a game since Dec. 21, 2024, a loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.
"Something I learned about myself (while sitting out the 2025 season) is that I’m super mentally strong," McCoy said. "I’ve been through a lot, and I’ve got a story that I’m still telling."
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jermod McCoy doctors say knee healthy for Las Vegas Raiders after NFL draft fall