In the corner of the Tennessee football practice field, the team’s only returning All-American is on a stationary bike rehabbing his injured knee.

Until cornerback Jermod McCoy gets off that bike and onto the field, the Vols will face a series of questions in the secondary.

Defensive backs coach Willie Martinez is trying to solve them with a positive attitude.

“You’re going to have to adapt and adjust. We know that Jermod is going to be back,” Martinez said. “But I’m not frustrated. I wouldn’t look at it that way.

“Here’s an opportunity for some of these new and young guys, or even some of the older guys, to get quality reps to make us better. We’re not going to be elite unless we have enough depth.”

In January, McCoy suffered a torn ACL during a training session at his home in East Texas. He underwent surgery and returned to UT to rehabilitate. The Vols hope he’s back in the lineup early in the 2025 season, but no official timetable has been released.

When will Jermod McCoy return in 2025 season?

For now, McCoy’s absence has a compounding effect in UT’s secondary, which already faced offseason challenges.

In February, Rickey Gibson, the other starting cornerback, considered entering the transfer portal, but he’s participating in spring practice. One starting safety spot is vacant.

Starting nickelback Boo Carter is dividing his time between defense and offense, where he’s getting reps as a wide receiver. Nickelback Jourdan Thomas is still out with a serious knee injury suffered last August, and he’s on a stationary bike beside McCoy at practice.

Meanwhile, most of the backup cornerbacks are freshmen or walk-ons, so McCoy’s speedy return is essential.

UT opens the season against Syracuse in Atlanta on Aug. 30, followed by a home game against ETSU. The SEC opener is against Georgia on Sept. 13, when McCoy would be needed the most.

UT’s secondary is coming off its best season during coach Josh Heupel’s tenure. The Vols ranked No. 5 in the SEC in pass defense. They ranked No. 14 in 2021, No. 12 in 2022 and No. 8 in 2023.

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Who replaces Jermod McCoy?

McCoy is one of the best cornerbacks in college football. He earned All-America and All-SEC first-team honors last season. And he was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in college football.

McCoy is not easily replaced. Jalen McMurray, a veteran who transferred from Temple a year ago, has slid into the starting spot opposite Gibson during spring practice.

The group is thin and inexperienced after that. Marcus Goree played only eight defensive snaps last season as a freshman. William Wright and Colin Brazzell, the younger brother of UT receiver Chris Brazzell, are walk-ons. Tre Poteat, Timothy Merritt and Ty Redmond are freshmen debuting in spring practice after enrolling early.

Kaleb Beasley has moved from cornerback to safety, where he’s competing for a starting spot.

Cornerback Jordan Matthews transferred to Vanderbilt. Defensive back Christian Harrison transferred to Cincinnati. And defensive back Christian Charles is limited by an injury in spring practice.

Meanwhile, Martinez said McCoy is making the most of his rehab.

“(McCoy) has been outstanding. He’s just growing as a leader. He’s out there every day, and he’s actually coaching guys in the room,” Martinez said. “I told him that’s how you’re going to stay involved in this thing and become an elite corner. You don’t have to physically do it. You can do it mentally.”

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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