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Update: Bru McCoy Cleared to Play for Tennessee Vols

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Christina Chapman | Last updated 8/27/22

The transfer saga of Bru McCoy has come to a close as the NCAA has granted McCoy immediate eligibility as of Friday. The wide receiver and star of USC’s 2019 recruiting class transferred to Tennessee via the transfer portal this spring. The eligibility of Bru McCoy has long been in question as this is the third time he has entered the transfer portal.

California Dreamin’

Originally committed to the USC Trojans in 2019, McCoy entered the transfer portal after only 17 days on USC’s campus. The University of Texas at Austin picked up the star wide receiver and he practiced with the Longhorns, only to enter the transfer portal again ahead of the start of the season. McCoy’s second transfer landed him back at his first school, which was at one time his “dream school”, USC. The 2019 season saw McCoy sidelined for health reasons but he was able to obtain a redshirt and made his college debut for the Trojans in 2020.

A powerful player, Bru McCoy had a noteworthy season with the Trojans in 2020. But as trouble off the field made headlines in 2021, McCoy found himself suspended from the program. In fact, USC mounted a Title IX investigation and barred McCoy from campus altogether. By the time the investigation was concluded, McCoy had entered the transfer portal again. His next stop: Rocky Top.

Going Big Orange

The Vols vetted McCoy prior to approving his transfer to Knoxville according to Tennessee’s head coach Josh Heupel. The Vols and McCoy began forming a positive relationship in the spring of 2022 with McCoy praising Tennessee’s treatment of its student-athletes saying, “They’re doing things the right way here. They’re taking care of players the right way, they’re taking care of the off-the-field-everything you could want out of a school.”

But, the light at the end of the transfer tunnel was not immediately bright the third time around.

Tennessee confirmed it had done and was continuing to do everything in its power to have Bru McCoy’s transfer approved. The internet deemed USC responsible for the delay in clearing McCoy’s eligibility and the Trojans responded in time, placing the blame on the NCAA. Finally, the waiver request for McCoy has been approved. The NCAA has granted Bru McCoy immediate eligibility to play in the 2022 season.

The NCAA’s announcement comes just days before Tennessee’s season opener against Ball State on September 1.

The Vols: A Team of Expectations

McCoy’s size and speed are beneficial to the Vols’ already powerful offensive unit. Likely, McCoy will be one of QB Hendon Hooker’s primary targets along with star WR Cedric Tillman. After the loss of Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton, the addition of Bru McCoy is great news for the Vols.

On one hand, Bru has only played one season of college football so far. At the same time, he had a great showing in an abbreviated season and was a five-star recruit for a reason. The Vols seem confident in McCoy’s performance during fall camp and now the coaching staff can really game plan with McCoy in mind.

This season, Josh Heupel expects greatness. He is joined in that expectation by his team and by college football’s most fervent fanbase.