Tennessee football saw significant departures after the 2024 season, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility of a Vols player making a surprise run for the Heisman Trophy.
Following Travis Hunter’s groundbreaking Heisman win, ESPN’s David Hale speculates that another cornerback could claim the prestigious award this year—marking the first time in history the position wins back-to-back Heismans. Hale included Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy in one of his bold predictions for the upcoming season.
According to Hale, Arch Manning may play well enough to resemble his uncle Peyton and enter December as the Heisman frontrunner. However, Hale predicts a surprise outcome where someone else takes the trophy—possibly Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, or even Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy, delivering poetic justice for Peyton Manning’s past Heisman snub by bringing the program its first-ever winner.
McCoy, who tore his ACL in January following Tennessee’s playoff loss to Ohio State, had been coming off the best season of his career. Though he began offseason work shortly after the injury, his progress was halted by the setback. His return timetable remains uncertain—he might miss just a few games or potentially the first half of the season, depending on how quickly he recovers and regains game readiness.
If McCoy can return in time to play a significant portion of the season, he’s expected to be in the mix for major defensive honors. The key will be whether he can return to his elite form—like the performance he showed locking down Jalen Milroe and others last season. If he does, and if everything falls into place, McCoy could rapidly emerge as a dark horse in the Heisman race.
Be the first to comment