Players Urging Bru McCoy To Return To School

Wide receiver Bru McCoy has been one of the biggest wins for Tennessee in the transfer portal under head coach Josh Heupel. McCoy totaled 667 yards and four touchdowns during the 2022 season and was off to a strong start this year before suffering a season-ending injury against South Carolina.

McCoy could exercise his final season of eligibility and return to school or opt to head to the professional ranks. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava spoke to the media on Thursday afternoon about his upcoming start against Iowa and offered thoughts about what getting McCoy back in the offense would mean for him.

"I’m trying to get Bru back. It’s huge, man. I think a guy like that coming back, he’ll be the leader of the receiver room— we’ll be a little young next year, so just him coming back would be huge for me and I’m working on it."

McCoy still has a bit more time before he has to decide. The Vols and wide receiver coach Kelsey Pope have confidence in their depth at the position, especially after signing Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley in the 2024 class. However, getting a veteran presence back in that room would benefit everyone. McCoy is a stabilizing piece for this offense when healthy - he's big and is accustomed to Tennessee's route-tree. He was a helping hand for quarterback Joe Milton III in his first few starts and could be that next year for Iamaleava.