OKLAHOMA CITY – Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy was named a semifinalist for the 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association on Tuesday afternoon.
The Thorpe Award is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
McCoy was one of 15 defensive backs across the country, including four from the Southeastern Conference, to make the list for the prestigious honor. He is the eighth player in program history to earn semifinalist status, including the second under head coach Josh Heupel and defensive backs coach Willie Martinez, joining Trevon Flowers (2022). Eric Berry is the only Vol to ever win the award, doing so in 2009.
McCoy has been a lockdown corner during his first season with the Vols after transferring in from Oregon State. The Texas native has not allowed a touchdown all season and ranks fifth in the SEC in passes defended (7) and seventh in pass breakups (5), averaging 1.0 passes defended per game, which is tied for fifth in the league.
The sophomore corner also has two interceptions this season, which is tied for seventh in the SEC. Both of his picks have come in conference play, which ranks tied for second in the league.
Among cornerbacks with over 200 pass coverage snaps this season, McCoy ranks third in the SEC and 10th in the nation in coverage grade (85.4) according to PFF (played 208 coverage snaps). Opponents have targeted him 37 times and he’s allowed only 45.9 percent of those passes to be completed, which is the fifth-best among cornerbacks in the SEC with over 200 coverage snaps.
Against rival Alabama, McCoy logged a team-high-tying eight tackles (five solo) to go along with half a tackle for loss, one pass breakup and an incredible one-handed interception in the end zone while covering star receiver Ryan Williams that prevented a touchdown and was returned 54 yards.
McCoy was named the Thorpe Award National Defensive Back of the Week after a sensational performance at Oklahoma in Tennessee’s SEC opener, in which he registered three tackles, one pass breakup and an interception that he returned 17 yards. In the win over the Sooners, he logged 48 snaps and did not allow a completion, holding OU quarterbacks to a 0.0 passer grade according to PFF.
The full list of semifinalists for this year’s award can be seen HERE.
Three finalists for the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and the winner will be announced on ESPN’s live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12.
