Tennessee football has come a long way in its secondary from when Josh Heupel first arrived on Rocky Top. At that point, Tennessee's defensive backs were a weakness and a clear area for improvement if the Vols wanted to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Heupel and the Vols addressed their defensive needs and have built a strong defensive secondary, including bringing in two potential first-round picks at corner.
CBS Sports' Ryan Wilson has released his second mock draft for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Wilson has a pair of Tennessee cornerbacks projected to be taken in the first round of next year's draft, but Jermod McCoy is no longer CB1 in the draft, or for the Vols.