Hendon Hooker addresses Bru McCoy situation, Tennessee wide receiver room

With a little more than a week to go until Tennessee kicks off the 2022 season, the Volunteers are still awaiting word on the eligibility to USC transfer receiver Bru McCoy.

A former five-star recruit in 2019, McCoy ranked as the No. 2 receiver in the class according to On3 Conesnsus. He figures to be a key part of the offense if ruled eligible, which Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker thinks will happen eventually.

“We still have 100% faith in Bru,” Hooker said Wednesday. “I believe that he’s gonna be cleared to play.”

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McCoy must receive either a release from USC or waiver from the NCAA to become eligible in 2022. He was suspended for the entire 2021 season because of a legal issue stemming from an altercation with his ex-girlfriend.

However, according to a recent article from the Knoxville News Sentinel, McCoy’s arrest and suspension is not what is holding up his eligibility at Tennessee. Instead, the NCAA’s rule regarding multiple transfers is the issue.

The NCAA allows players to play immediately only after the first transfer of their career, requiring a waiver to be eligible after any additional transfers. In January 2019, McCoy enrolled at USC, transferred to Texas several weeks later for spring practice and then transferred back to USC that summer before playing a college game.

Despite the delay, Tennessee has remained optimistic that Bru McCoy will be cleared to play in 2022. Volunteers offensive coordinator Alex Golesh said the team is approaching this upcoming game week as if the receiver will be ready.

Even if he isn’t, the Volunteers will have no shortage of playmakers at receiver. They return last year’s leading receiver Cedric Tillman, who recorded 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021, as well as junior Jalin Hyatt. That experience gives Hooker confidence in his weapons heading into the season opener.

“Very excited for the whole receiving corps,” the quarterback said. “They worked their tails off this offseason like I said in previous quotes. Every time I’m in the building, they’re in the building. On the jugs, extra film. Whatever it may be, they’re working to get better. That’s been proven this camp. They’ve looked incredible in their routes as well as just playing aggressive. When the ball’s in the air, it’s their ball and they’ve been acting like it.”

Tennessee will kick off the 2022 season at 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 1 against Ball State.