Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jermod McCoy can barely contain his excitement about stepping on the field for Thursday’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium.
Yet the joy he is anticipating for his first football game since December 2024 won’t remove the chip he admits he still has on his shoulder about a draft process that saw him fall from surefire first-round pick to the fourth round over concerns about his surgically-repaired knee.
“That’s something that will be with me forever,” McCoy said after Monday’s training camp practice. “It’s going to keep fueling me to push forward.”
There were certainly some skeptics around the time of the draft who questioned whether McCoy, a Texas native who won’t turn 21 until next week, would be able to play this season or if his career would be cut short.
McCoy had to sit back and listen to all of it as he waited for his name to be called on the draft’s third day, though his confidence never wavered.
“I don’t really doubt myself,” he said. “I feel like I can do anything I put my mind to.”
Ready for Week 1
McCoy said he always believed he would be ready for Week 1 and credited the Raiders organization and athletic training staff with developing a plan to manage his recovery. He didn’t do a whole lot of work on the field during OTAs and mini-camp, but has gradually ramped up his activity in training camp and is starting to look more and more comfortable each day as he takes reps mostly with the second- and third-team defense.
Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard is excited about what McCoy could bring to the team.
Not only has he seen McCoy’s college film, but the athleticism jumps out every time he steps on the field.
“I think it’s pretty glaring in individual (drills), his natural talent,” Leonard said. “And it’s fun to see him progress. He’s working along. He’s an exciting prospect.”
Almost certainly the best cornerback prospect in this year’s rookie class had he been healthy.
While McCoy conceded he’s probably not back to the level of play he displayed at Tennessee in 2024 when he emerged as a probable top 10 pick before the injury, he’s getting closer every day.
“I’m getting there,” he smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve really played football. I’m trying to use this whole process to get me back to where I was, and I feel like I’m almost there.”
McCoy helped lead the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff that season, but that loss to Ohio State was the last time he played in a real game. He tore his ACL a month after the season in January 2025 during an offseason workout.
That’s why Thursday’s preseason affair will be so important to him.
“There will definitely be emotions for sure,” he said. “I’ll look around, take it all in and just remember that at any point the game can be taken from you, so you have to always cherish these moments.”
While coach Klint Kubiak has yet to reveal who will and will not play on Thursday, McCoy clearly wants to get the call.
But he’s also committed to the process the team has crafted for him.
Not ready to rest
McCoy acknowledged that it’s difficult at times when he is asked to sit out a drill or take a rest day, he appreciates that the plan seems to be working.
“It can be tough, but it’s just part of it,” he said. “I think it’s been a great process from the day I came in. I feel so much better. I feel like they’ve been pouring into me and they got me right.
“I’m feeling good. Just to be back on the field.”
McCoy said he has even been able to exceed the workload that had originally been mapped out for training camp, so he feels even better about where he is on the timeline.
He’s not shy about what he believes he may be able to accomplish this season.
McCoy wants to be on the All-Rookie team and eventually be an All-Pro.
Most importantly, he wants to create some chaos.
“I want to get at least three or four picks,” he said. “I love getting that ball back for us.”
He’s clearly ready to show the rest of the teams in the league what they passed on.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
