Participating in preseason camp is a benchmark McCoy was determined to reach since his season-ending injury.
Knoxville, Tenn. – There was plenty of great energy on the field for day two of preseason camp for the Tennessee Vols.
Perhaps the greatest indicator of that was Head Coach Josh Heupel sporting a backward hat and Bru McCoy returning to the field, a sight Heupel described as a big moment for the wide receiver.
His presence adds to a stacked receiver room.
After the defensive line, the wide receiver unit has the most depth on the roster.
From Squirrel White, Chriz Brazzle, Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod, Dont’e Thorton, Braylon Staley, and the list goes on.
A key piece the Vols are eager to have at full strength is of course McCoy. The redshirt senior had proven he can do about everything Tennessee needs.
A year ago he had 17 catches for 217 yards in the shortened 2023 season.
In 2022 with Hendon Hooker at quarterback, he took 52 catches for 667 yards and four touchdowns.
During Thursday’s practice, which is only open to media for the first three periods, McCoy was a full participant in that stretch.
Despite the tape around his ankles, he looked just as strong as Offensive Coordinator Joey Halzle described him to be.
“It is absolutely insane what that kid did this offseason. For everything going on and as far as players people are excited about. That ankle injury, we all saw it. The fact that that kid is out there running full speed and making cuts and catches. He didn’t gain a bunch of weight, and he still looks like a superhero when he walks around out here,” said Halzle.
Bru went through several drills during UT’s second day of camp and he looks as healthy as he’s ever been.
That feeling has certainly fueled his determination this off-season.
So much so that the staff is constantly reeling him back, holding him to a strict “pitch count” to make sure he’s not overdoing it.
“This guy is absolutely insane, the way he went through that,” said Halzle. “He was like, ‘Alright, what is my job? What am I supposed to do when I can’t run right now?’ And he did that. The training staff was actually saying, ‘Hey Bru, we actually have to pull you back a little bit right now.’ He is pushing it over and over and over to try and get there as quickly as possible. The guy is just an absolute animal in every aspect. Whether it is strength training, conditioning, rehab or his football knowledge. He attacks it all the same way, which is why he has made this comeback so quickly. I don’t know if everyone thought he was going to be able to. It is special to watch.”
But being on the field during preseason camp is a benchmark McCoy’s been working towards since his season-ending injury against South Carolina.
“For Bru, you could tell just walking out on the football field for him today at practice, it was a big day for him,” said Heupel. “Everything that’s gone into it from the injury to the rehab, mentally and physically getting back to the point where you’re getting ready to go compete. We’re going to control his volume but build as we go through training camp. Today was a big moment for him. Really proud of what he’s done and how he’s grown. He’s a tremendous leader inside of our locker room, and really excited that he’s back with us.”
Of course, McCoy’s impact goes beyond his production on the field. Despite most of his time being dedicated to his rehab, he’s continued to be the leader this program knows him to be.
Freshman receiver Braylon Staley lit up when asked to describe what it’s like having McCoy in the same room.
“Oh, it’s amazing. Bru is a fantastic leader. He helps us on and off the field. In the meeting rooms, he’s coaching us up, he’s Coach [Kelsey] Pope. Coach Pope don’t really have to do anything when Bru’s in the room. I love Bru,” said Staley.