Updates on Josh Heupel The corner of Tennessee Return of Jermod McCoy from an ACL tear
Josh Heupel, entering his fifth season as head coach, stressed that the quarterback battle this summer—between Joey Aguilar, Jake Merklinger, and true freshman George MacIntyre—is progressing well. All three have impressed in meetings and workouts, and leadership dynamics are trending positively as fall camp draws near .
Injury background: McCoy sustained a torn ACL back in January during offseason workouts in Texas, sidelining him for spring practice and casting uncertainty on his fall availability .
Heupel’s current stance (as of SEC Media Days, mid‑July 2025):
He did not provide a firm return date: “I don’t [have an update]. … It’s how he encounters the next phase… we’ll figure that out as we get into the season” .
He has observed McCoy recently and says he “looks really good,” with strong movement and overall progression through rehab .
Outlook: McCoy is clearly trending positively, working through late‑summer recovery and training camp phases. Still, there’s a fair chance he won’t be game‑ready for Week 1 (Georgia, Week 3) . Some speculated a mid‑September return (by the Georgia game), while others suggest it’s “likely he’ll miss Week 1 and maybe Week 2” .
What’s at stake: McCoy was the Volunteers’ No. 1 cover corner in 2024 (44 tackles, 4 interceptions, 9 pass breakups), a projected first-round pick in 2026 . Tennessee’s defense, which ranked 7th nationally and 2nd in the SEC last season, will lean on his return for veteran depth .Heupel, reflecting on the team’s College Football Playoff appearance last year, said that Atlanta (CFP, SEC title) is the target again—setting a rigorous tone throughout spring and summer .
On the quarterback front, he’s commended Aguilar’s work ethic and leadership since arriving from Appalachian State. Fellow competitors Merklinger and MacIntyre have also earned praise for their growth and cohesion .
Heupel is optimistic about McCoy’s recovery, describing his movement and rehab progress as “really good.” But without a set timetable, he hinted that McCoy will play it by ear based on how camp unfolds and his health timeline. The earliest realistic return would likely be mid‑September, not Week 1.
Tennessee’s defense, heavily reliant on McCoy’s lockdown ability, will need to compensate early—potentially leaning more on players like Colton Hood, Rickey Gibson III, Boo Carter, Jalen McMurray, or Jourdan Thomas at the season’s start .Victories in early matchups (Syracuse on August 30, ET‑State, then Georgia) hinge partly on McCoy’s possible absence. But Heupel is playing long game—prioritizing McCoy’s full recovery over rushing him back, both for the present and his NFL future.
