Jermod McCoy is getting more attention than most cornerbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft class, and the reason goes beyond his tape at Tennessee. A quiet but interesting link to Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, has pushed his name back into conversations right before draft season heats up. What makes it stand out is not just football talent, but shared history that keeps resurfacing at the right time.McCoy and Mahomes both have roots in Tyler, Texas, and they crossed paths long before the NFL spotlight. That old connection has now become a talking point as scouts reevaluate McCoy’s upside after his injury setback.
How the Patrick Mahomes link and early bond push Jermod McCoy back into the NFL Draft talk
The connection between Jermod McCoy and Patrick Mahomes goes back to their early playing days in Tyler. Both attended Whitehouse High School, a program known for producing strong athletes in multiple sports. Mahomes graduated in 2014 and already had the buzz of a dual-sport star. McCoy came years later, but the link stayed alive through community ties and shared coaching circles.Also, the link doesn’t end there. Patrick Mahomes’ dad, the former MLB pitcher Patrick Mahomes Sr., coached McCoy in baseball.Plus, one moment that keeps getting attention occurred in Feb. 2026 during the NFL Combine. McCoy posted a throwback photo with Mahomes on social media, originally taken during their early school days. Mahomes reposted it around the same time, which sparked fresh interest among fans and analysts tracking draft prospects. The timing of the post was particularly noteworthy, as McCoy is currently recovering from a torn ACL sustained during offseason training in January 2025.At the 2020 Super Bowl media week, McCoy had earlier wished Mahomes luck through a post that again resurfaced this year among draft analysts. While it was a simple gesture, it showed the early admiration McCoy had for the Chiefs quarterback long before entering college football.On the field, McCoy built his reputation at Oregon State before transferring to Tennessee, where he showed strong coverage skills and ball tracking ability. His 2024 season included four interceptions and steady pass breakups before the injury halted his momentum.NFL scouts now weigh both his production and recovery timeline. Some projections still place him late in the first round, with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs holding mid-to-late picks. That has only added more discussion around a possible reunion storyline, even if no team has made a clear move yet.For now, McCoy’s draft stock sits in a tight range. But the Mahomes connection keeps his name active in NFL conversations, especially as teams revisit his upside ahead of April 2026.
