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Former 5-Star WR Unexpectedly Announces Retirement After Going Undrafted

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Borba | Last updated May 7, 2025 12:22 AM ET

During this past month's 2025 NFL Draft, 11 former five-star recruits from Rivals' recruiting rankings spanning 2019-21 were not selected.

Among the more notable were quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (Clemson/Oregon State/Florida State), wide receiver Mario Williams (Oklahoma/Tulane) and Julian Fleming (Ohio State/Penn State). Although it was a disappointing result, like many other players, they will be looking to make it into the NFL as undrafted free agents.

However, another former five-star that didn't hear his name called during the draft has decided to go in a different direction. Former Texas, USC and Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy announced via X that he will be medically retiring from football.

pic.twitter.com/oajqVEf3TI
— Bru McCoy (@BruMcCoy15) May 7, 2025

Although the former Mater Dei product had a relatively productive college career, a gruesome right ankle injury in a game against South Carolina in 2023 left his career in doubt. As indicated in his statement, it was an injury that could have been career-ending for him.

Instead, he returned for one final season and racked up 39 catches for 472 yards and two scores.

McCoy ranked as the No. 1 athlete in the class of 2019, and had one of the more bizarre recruiting journeys. After initially signing with USC, he left the program for Texas just weeks later. McCoy then spent all of spring ball with the Longhorns before returning back to USC.

McCoy spent just one season with the Trojans, before head coach Clay Helton suspended him indefinitely after he was arrested for an alleged domestic violence incident in July 2021. Although the charges were dropped, McCoy was never reinstated and ultimately left the program for Tennessee, where he spent the last three years.

According to Fox's Jordan Schultz, teams were instructed not to draft him in April, as it is now clear that McCoy was planning to walk away from football.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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