Former Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy announces medical retirement from football
Former five-star recruit and Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy announced his retirement from football on Tuesday.
McCoy, who caught 39 passes for 472 yards with two touchdowns as a senior last season, announced his retirement is due to medical reasons. He reportedly told NFL teams not to select him in the 2025 draft, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. He was previously given a 6.0 prospect grade by NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein, a score which projected him as an "above average backup."
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"As many of you know I came back and played last year after what could've been a career ending injury," McCoy wrote on social media. "I felt it was my responsibility to myself, coaches, family, and most important the community I have here in Knoxville to give back for all of the love that has been shown for me."
McCoy suffered a fracture-dislocation in his ankle during the 2023 season that required four surgeries and 10 days in the hospital. He was the Vols' leading receiver with 17 receptions for 217 yards with a touchdown before the season-ending injury against South Carolina in the fifth game of the season.
The 6-foot-2 receiver originally signed with USC out of Mater Dei High School, a powerhouse program where he was teammates with future Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young. He was the No. 9-ranked prospect and No. 1 athlete in 2019 recruiting class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
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McCoy's best season came in 2022, when he caught 52 passes for 667 yards with four touchdowns. He notably had a 27-yard catch that season that set up Tennessee's game-winning field goal against Alabama.
McCoy was one of six Tennessee players invited to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, along with Omarr Norman-Lott, James Pearce Jr., Elijah Simmons, Dylan Sampson and Dont'e Thornton Jr.
REQUIRED READING: Projecting Tennessee football depth chart for 2025 season after spring transfer portal
Simmons and McCoy were the lone players not selected.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Tennessee WR Bru McCoy announces medical retirement from football
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