Jermod McCoy isn’t crying over spilled milk.
The Tennessee cornerback was projected to be first-round pick in this draft, but a torn ACL kept him out for the entirety of the 2025 season. Two successful seasons at Oregon State and Tennessee, consisting of six interceptions and 16 pass deflections, didn’t appear to be enough to outweigh knee health concerns, instead falling in the lap of the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 101 overall pick.
McCoy recognizes there was always going to be doubt with teams regarding the longevity of his knee. As for whether he needs another operation to play, he said he’ll do whatever the Raiders’ training and medical staff ask of him to get back on the field.
“I was prepared for whatever happened,” McCoy said via Zoom after being drafted, “but, I mean, I would’ve been excited to go higher. … I had a good Pro Day, ran some good times, and just did good things like that. But, I mean, I was prepared for whatever happened.”
“I feel like I’m super mentally strong,” he added. “I feel I’ve just been through a lot. I’ve got a story that I’m still trying to tell.”
Regardless of where he was selected, he’s not going to let the slide to the fourth round sully the moment he’s yearned for.
“This ain’t something you can take for granted,” McCoy said. “This is everyone’s dream. So it’s not just something you can just say, ‘I didn’t get drafted where I wanted so I’m not [going] to watch the draft’ … It’s still a blessing to get drafted. I was in there watching it, got the call, super excited, ready to get to work.”
