What Bru McCoy's return means for Tennessee

Tennessee football receiver some big news Tuesday as receiver Bru McCoy announced he will return for the 2024 season. It’s a move that will benefit both sides after McCoy missed all but five games this past year with an injury.

VolQuest‘s Brent Hubbs joined On3‘s Andy Staples on Tuesday to break down the decision from McCoy. He explained just how much the move means not only for the Volunteers, but McCoy as well.

“For Bru, it’s a couple of things,” Hubbs said. “One, the NFL would want to see him healthy and I think to help his stock he’s gonna have to show them that he’s healthy over a longer period of time. Returning to college football made the most sense. He really likes it in Knoxville. Knoxville’s been a great fit for him. He’s been a great fit for the community and for the team. I think it’s a great get for Tennessee.”

McCoy has spent the past two seasons at Tennessee after transferring from USC ahead of 2022. He had a big first year to finish with a career-high 52 catches for 667 yards and four touchdowns. Prior to his injury this season, he had 17 receptions for 217 yards and a touchdown.

McCoy should be a top target for quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who is expected to be the Vols’ starter next year. Iamaleava threw for 151 yards and a touchdown in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, and vouched for McCoy to return.

“Nico said publicly at the bowl site he was recruiting Bru hard to come back,” Hubbs said. “He wanted him back. To make Bru feel really old, Nico has talked about how much he enjoyed watching Bru play in high school growing up because they’re from California. Now they’re gonna play together. They have a really good rapport. I think Bru helped Nico in his adjustment from the West Coast to Knoxville. I think the two have gotten along really well and I think they will play off of each other well.”

Hubbs also pointed to the fact that Bru McCoy can help out some of the incoming freshmen and transfers find their footing as the veteran in the Tennessee receiving room. As Tennessee moves toward its future under Iamaleava, the receiver will be a nice piece to have.

“Then you look at the receiver room and where they are,” Hubbs explained. “Mike Matthews is a five-star athlete who’s coming in who did some really good things with the Under Armor deal and at bowl practice for Tennessee. You’re talking about Braylon Staley, who’s coming in as well. They bring in the (Chris) Brazzell kid from Tulane as a transfer.

“It’s a pretty young room when you look at where they are. To have a veteran who goes about his business as a pro every day on and off the field at 23 years of age is a real nice comfort level for Josh Heupel in the locker room and the meeting room to help those guys get ready to play.”