Bru McCoy makes clear his reason for not being drafted, and it's one that will break Tennessee Vols fans' hearts

"It's with a heavy heart but a feeling of gratitude that I share with you guys that I made the difficult decision to medically retire from football," McCoy wrote. "This has been one of the toughest decisions of my life, but after careful consideration with my doctors, family, and people closest to me, I've come to the conclusion that it's the right path for my long-term health and well-being." 

McCoy suffered one of the more grotesque and disheartening injuries that a Tennessee player has suffered in recent memory when he had his leg rolled up against South Carolina in 2023 and suffered a dislocated ankle. He was carted off the field and began a long recovery process. 

Fortunately, that would not be the last moment UT fans would see him on the field, as he returned for one final season in 2024. Instead of his last moment in Neyland Stadium being one of pain and heartbreak, he walked off the field one last time after scoring two touchdowns in the Vols' 56-0 win over UTEP on their way to the school's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. 

McCoy became a fan favorite in Knoxville, thanks in no small part to his impactful 2022 season with the Vols after transferring in from USC. He totaled 52 catches for 667 yards and 4 touchdowns, all career highs. His breakout game in the Vols' 40-13 thrashing of LSU in Baton Rouge and catch during the final drive to beat Alabama 52-49 are moments that Vol fans have re-lived and talked about continuously. 

It's tough to see McCoy have to leave the game before he got a chance at the NFL, but it's clear he's made an informed decision that's the best for him. We'll see where his next steps take him, but I expect to see McCoy in some camera shots at future UT football games in the years to come.