Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy returning to the field for the Vols’ season opener against Chattanooga was an accomplishment on its own. McCoy suffered a fractured dislocation of his ankle last October in Tennessee’s win over South Carolina at Neyland Stadium.
But McCoy not only played against the Mocs but excelled. He led the Vols with six receptions, totaling 89 receiving yards and nine more rushing yards in just one half of football.
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The super senior receiver is known for his physicality but he’s slimmer this season and looked quicker in the season opener. Meeting with the media on Tuesday, Tennessee receiver’s coach Kelsey Pope echoed that sentiment.
“It’s just really refreshing to see him, really,” Pope said. “He’s got a step or two that I don’t think he had before. He’s lost a ton of weight coming back from the injury. But it was just awesome to see him back and in rare form. From our perspective as coaches, I’m sure from a fans perspective, you guys watched him, like it was great to see No. 5 back out there in Neyland. It was awesome.”
There was one play that stood out in particular. McCoy caught a pass in the flat and juked out a Chattanooga defender running at him to make the tackle. Yes, it was just one play against the Mocs but it’s an aspect of his game that he hasn’t shown in his first two seasons at Tennessee.
Bru McCoy is now making guys miss in the open field.
He is a problem pic.twitter.com/AAqCBccAhx
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) September 2, 2024
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Returning from such a serious injury at full strength would have been extremely impressive on its own. Doing it while adding another aspect to his game is hard to believe and a testament to McCoy’s hard work.
“Huge for him. His family,” Heupel said of McCoy following the UTC game. “I know I saw them in the hotel last night. I know they were excited, anxious, nervous, all of it. And Bru was excited to play. Great that he got opportunities to get the ball in his hand, make plays and played really well.”
McCoy started at receiver for Tennessee in the matchup and will have a big role this season. Nico Iamaleava looked up to McCoy growing up in Southern California and clearly has a comfort throwing to the veteran receiver.
