Football <\/p>\n
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and current scout Ike Taylor is in Knoxville, Tennessee, along with DBs coach Jason Simmons, to attend the Volunteers\u2019 Pro Day. The Steelers duo is there to check out two likely first-round cornerbacks: Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood.<\/p>\n
We spotted both in a clip that Tennessee Football shared on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Taylor has been among the most visible Steelers on the Pro Day trail this year, showing up to several, including Alabama\u2019s recent workout. This is the first known stop for Simmons, who Mike McCarthy hired after working together in Green Bay previously.<\/p>\n McCoy\u2019s workout was particularly under the microscope. It\u2019s 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\u2019s had an excellent workout. He ran a 4.38 unofficial 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 10\u20197\u2033 broad jump.<\/p>\n Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy, a projected first-round pick who did not play this past season while recovering from an ACL tear, just ran a 4.38 40 with a 38\u201d vertical jump at 10\u20197\u201d broad jump at the school\u2019s pro day.<\/p>\n \u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n At the Combine, McCoy weighed in at 6006, 188 pounds with 31 1\/4 inch arms and 9 inch hands.<\/p>\n When healthy in 2024, McCoy was regarded as one of college football\u2019s premier shutdown cornerbacks, battling Ohio State\u2019s Jeremiah Smith well. Our scouting report praised<\/a> 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:<\/p>\n \u201cJermod McCoy isn\u2019t 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\u2019s healthy and ready for OTAs.<\/em><\/p>\n 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\u2019s some risk as well. McCoy is a little bigger, but my NFL comp is Denzel Ward.<\/strong>\u201c<\/em><\/p>\n With a strong workout, McCoy likely cements himself as a first-rounder and Top 15 selection. That may take him out of Pittsburgh\u2019s range, but McCoy\u2019s teammate Colton Hood could be available at No. 21.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s a physical press corner and a willing tackler. Effectively a one-year college starter who didn\u2019t begin playing defense until his junior year of high school, there are nuances of the game Hood must learn. He\u2019s also prone to biting on double-moves. Our scouting report<\/a> offered an optimistic conclusion.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, 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\u2019s a lot to like for a team patient enough to develop him. He\u2019s effectively only been playing cornerback since 2021.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Hood is a likely first-round pick but will probably be drafted after McCoy.<\/p>\n After signing Jamel Dean, cornerback isn\u2019t high on Pittsburgh\u2019s needs. Still, from a value standpoint, McCoy and Hood are too impressive prospects who could be hard for the Steelers to ignore if they\u2019re available at No. 21.<\/p>\n Other notable Volunteers working out on Tuesday include WR Chris Brazzell II and EDGE Joshua Josephs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n