New Mock Draft Projects Trio Of Tennessee Stars in First Round

Images: Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Three Volunteers made a strong showing in PFF’s newest mock draft.

Pro Football Focus released its latest mock draft on Thursday, projecting three Volunteers to come off the board in the first round.

Cornerback Jermod McCoy to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 14, edge rusher Joshua Josephs at No. 23 to the San Francisco 49ers, and cornerback Colton Hood to the Buffalo Bills at No. 25.

McCoy hasn’t suited up this season as he continues to recover from a torn ACL sustained in January. But his impact in Knoxville was immediate. 

After transferring from Oregon State, the cornerback posted 44 tackles and nine pass breakups in his debut campaign, earning Second-Team All-American honors and leading a Vols defense that fueled Tennessee’s first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.

Josephs, a senior edge rusher, has been disruptive all season, logging 30 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles, including a 41-yard scoop-n-score in Tennessee’s 41-34 overtime win over Mississippi State.

Hood, the Colorado transfer, wasted no time making his presence felt in what’s likely his only season in Knoxville. Colton Hood has racked up 38 tackles, one interception, and seven pass breakups. 

His aggressive play style and natural instincts have turned heads, positioning him as one of the fastest risers in this year’s draft class.

If the projections hold, Tennessee would equal its all-time mark for first-round selections in a single draft, matching the 2002 class that saw John Henderson (No. 9 to Jacksonville), Dante Stallworth (No. 13 to New Orleans), and Albert Haynesworth (No. 15 to Tennessee) all come off the board in the first round.