Steelers Pro Day Movement Signals Clear Interest In Tennessee’s 1st Round DBs

Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and current scout Ike Taylor is in Knoxville, Tennessee, along with DBs coach Jason Simmons, to attend the Volunteers’ Pro Day. The Steelers duo is there to check out two likely first-round cornerbacks: Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood.

We spotted both in a clip that Tennessee Football shared on X.

Taylor has been among the most visible Steelers on the Pro Day trail this year, showing up to several, including Alabama’s recent workout. This is the first known stop for Simmons, who Mike McCarthy hired after working together in Green Bay previously.

McCoy’s workout was particularly under the microscope. It’s his first action since tearing his ACL in January of 2025. Though he returned to practice during the fall, he never made it back to the field. McCoy opted against working out at the NFL Combine, giving himself extra time to train for his Pro Day. So far, it sounds like he’s had an excellent workout. He ran a 4.38 unofficial 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 10’7″ broad jump.

At the Combine, McCoy weighed in at 6006, 188 pounds with 31 1/4 inch arms and 9 inch hands.

When healthy in 2024, McCoy was regarded as one of college football’s premier shutdown cornerbacks, battling Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith well. Our scouting report praised McCoy for his man coverage, transition out of his pedal, and high character. Negatively, his tackling is inconsistent, penalties are too frequent, and he has obvious medical concerns. Overall, we summed McCoy up as:

“Jermod McCoy isn’t short on talent. Experience and, potentially, a clean bill of health are the only things he lacks. His medicals will be key throughout this process, and seeing him work out at the Combine and at his Pro Day will offer better proof he’s healthy and ready for OTAs.

On the field, McCoy checks many boxes. He can play man, zone, and he does enough as a tackler. His skill set makes him scheme versatile, but a Cover 1/Cover 3-based defense would utilize him best. The upside is high, but there’s some risk as well. McCoy is a little bigger, but my NFL comp is Denzel Ward.“

With a strong workout, McCoy likely cements himself as a first-rounder and Top 15 selection. That may take him out of Pittsburgh’s range, but McCoy’s teammate Colton Hood could be available at No. 21.

With similar size and physicality, Hood lacks experience but has ideal traits for the position. At 5115, 193 pounds with 31 3/8 inch arms, he’s a physical press corner and a willing tackler. Effectively a one-year college starter who didn’t begin playing defense until his junior year of high school, there are nuances of the game Hood must learn. He’s also prone to biting on double-moves. Our scouting report offered an optimistic conclusion.

“Overall, Colton Hood is a little raw but has the physical tools NFL teams look for in a top-end cornerback. A strong Senior Bowl week offered a glimpse into what he can offer at the next level, and there’s a lot to like for a team patient enough to develop him. He’s effectively only been playing cornerback since 2021.”

Hood is a likely first-round pick but will probably be drafted after McCoy.

After signing Jamel Dean, cornerback isn’t high on Pittsburgh’s needs. Still, from a value standpoint, McCoy and Hood are too impressive prospects who could be hard for the Steelers to ignore if they’re available at No. 21.

Other notable Volunteers working out on Tuesday include WR Chris Brazzell II and EDGE Joshua Josephs.