“All-American Next Year For Sure” Jermod McCoy’s Big Prediction for Ty Redmond
Image: Cole Moore
By Aidan Sidoti
INDIANAPOLIS – At the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, Tennessee cornerback and projected first-round pick Jermod McCoy didn’t hesitate when asked about the future of the Vols’ secondary next year. His message was simple.
“Ty (Redmond) is going to be an All-American next year for sure.” That’s a massive endorsement for sophomore cornerback Ty Redmond, who just finished up a breakout freshman campaign on Rocky Top.
Redmond was thrown into the fire immediately after a string of injuries, including junior cornerback Rickey Gibson going down in the season opener against Syracuse, and he never looked back.
The Alpharetta (GA) native played in all 13 games and started 12 of them, quickly becoming one of the most reliable young defensive backs in the SEC. He finished his freshman season with 43 tackles, 11 pass breakups, the most among SEC freshmen, and three interceptions. His play on the field earned him spots on both the 2025 SEC All‑Freshman Team and the All‑SEC Third Team.
Now, Redmond is set to form an elite cornerback duo with Auburn transfer Kayin Lee, giving Tennessee one of the most promising young secondaries in the conference. If McCoy’s confidence is any indication, Redmond’s ceiling could be higher than what he showed as a freshman.
McCoy knows what it takes to be an elite cornerback. Before missing the 2025 campaign with an ACL tear suffered during January training, he was one of the best defensive backs in the country. His 2024 sophomore season, McCoy totaled 44 tackles, seven pass breakups, and four interceptions, earning him First‑Team All‑SEC honors and helped lead Tennessee to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
Though he won’t participate in on‑field drills at the Combine, McCoy will work out for teams at Tennessee’s Pro Day in March.
