Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy is returning to Knoxville for his senior season, the Southern Cal transfer told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
“Without a doubt, I’ll be coming back next year,” McCoy said. “As far as a role, just be the best teammate I can be and continue to grind and work and do whatever I can to help win games.”
McCoy was Tennessee’s second leading receiver in his junior season, catching 48 passes for 619 yards and three touchdowns. The Los Angeles, California native used a healthy season to finish second on the team in catches and receiving yards and tied for third in touchdowns.
The 6-foot-3, 220 pound receiver transferred to Tennessee from USC last offseason and didn’t receive clearance from the NCAA to play the 2022 season until the middle of fall camp.
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McCoy was a starter from the offset of the season but hit his stride in the middle of the season during Cedric Tillman’s absence with an ankle injury. The physical receiver totaled 102 yards and a crucial late first half touchdown against Florida before catching seven passes for 140 yards two weeks later against LSU.
With Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman off to the NFL, McCoy will be Tennessee’s top returning receiver and could have a breakout senior year that elevates his draft stock.
However, McCoy isn’t the only talented Tennessee receiver is returning. Freshman Squirrel White had a promising freshman season as Jalin Hyatt’s backup in the slot and Ramel Keyton more than held his own playing for the injured Tillman.
McCoy, White and Keyton have a chance to prove their prowess in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. Kick-off between No. 6 Tennessee and No. 7 Clemson is at 8 p.m. ET.
