Jermod McCoy details first career interception versus Fernando Mendoza
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Jermod McCoy details first career interception versus Fernando Mendoza
Dan Harralson, Vols Wire·Vols Wire
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2 min read
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FormerTennesseecornerbackJermod McCoywas selected in the fourth round by Las Vegas (No. 101 overall) in the NFL draft.
The 6-foot, 193-pound defensive back was with the Vols from 2024-25. He did not play in 2025 due to rehabbing from an offseason knee injury.
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McCoy played in 13 games at Tennessee in 2024. He recorded 44 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss, four interceptions, 71 interception yards, 13 pass deflections, six punt returns and 59 punt return yards.
McCoy transferred to the Vols after a freshman season atOregon Statein 2023.
The Beavers defeatedCalifornia, 52-40, on Oct. 7, 2023 at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California. McCoy recorded his first career interception against quarterbackFernando Mendoza.
Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall by the Raiders during the NFL draft in 2026. He transferred toIndianaahead of the 2025 campaign after two seasons with the Golden Bears. Mendoza won a national championship and the Heisman Trophy with the Hoosiers in 2025.
"It was probably one of the top moments in my life, my first college pick - talked after that game too, just chopped it up a little bit, but I mean it was good,”McCoy told media. “Good to know we are going to be on the same team, too.
"We got the best quarterback in college football and now going to be the best in the league."
Mendoza completed 21-of-32 passing attempts for 207 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the loss to Oregon State. He also recorded 41 rushing yards on four attempts.
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McCoy recorded 31 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass deflections and one fumble recovery during his freshman season at Oregon State. His first start was against California and Mendoza.
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy versus Ryan Williams and Alabama on Oct. 19, 2024 at Neyland Stadium.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) after making the catch during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Alabama at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 19, 2024.
(Caitie McMekin/USA TODAY Network)
Nov. 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) during the second half at FirstBank Stadium.
(Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
Nov. 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) during the second half at FirstBank Stadium.
(Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) yells while carrying a deflated gator after defeating Florida during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Florida at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 12, 2024.
(Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network)
Nov. 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver London Humphreys (16) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) after a catch during the second half at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Defensive back Jermod McCoy #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with a 17-yard interception return against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma.
(Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
Feb. 26, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
(Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs past Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) during the first half of the College Football Playoff first round game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.
(Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network)
Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson catches a pass as he is brought down by Oregon State Beavers defensive back Jermod McCoy during the first half of the annual rivalry game on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
(Abigail Dollins/USA TODAY Network)
Wide receiver Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies cathes a pass to secure the win against defensive back Jermod McCoy #23 of the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Reser Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Corvallis, Oregon.
(Tom Hauck, Getty Images)
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Jermod McCoy's rookie jersey number with Las Vegas in NFL
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy versus Ryan Williams and Alabama on Oct. 19, 2024 at Neyland Stadium.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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Jermod McCoy's rookie jersey number with Las Vegas in NFL
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy versus Ryan Williams and Alabama on Oct. 19, 2024 at Neyland Stadium.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) is tackled by Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) after making the catch during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Alabama at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 19, 2024.
(Caitie McMekin/USA TODAY Network)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Nov. 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) during the second half at FirstBank Stadium.
(Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Nov. 30, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) during the second half at FirstBank Stadium.
(Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)
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Jermod McCoy's rookie jersey number with Las Vegas in NFL
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) yells while carrying a deflated gator after defeating Florida during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Florida at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 12, 2024.
(Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network)
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Former Vol listed as NFL draft best available player after first round
Nov. 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver London Humphreys (16) is tackled by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) after a catch during the second half at Sanford Stadium.
(Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Defensive back Jermod McCoy #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs with a 17-yard interception return against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Norman, Oklahoma.
(Brian Bahr, Getty Images)
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Where Jermod McCoy ranks ahead of NFL draft final day
Feb. 26, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana; Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (DB20) speaks to media members during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
(Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs past Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) during the first half of the College Football Playoff first round game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Dec. 21, 2024.
(Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Oregon Ducks tight end Terrance Ferguson catches a pass as he is brought down by Oregon State Beavers defensive back Jermod McCoy during the first half of the annual rivalry game on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
(Abigail Dollins/USA TODAY Network)
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PHOTOS: Defensive back Jermod McCoy's career
Wide receiver Rome Odunze #1 of the Washington Huskies cathes a pass to secure the win against defensive back Jermod McCoy #23 of the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Reser Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Corvallis, Oregon.
(Tom Hauck, Getty Images)
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