Former Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy is medically retiring from football, he announced in a lengthy social media post on Tuesday night.
A native of Rolling Hills Estates, California, and a product of Mater Dei High School, McCoy spent six years in the collegiate football world. The 6-foot-3 receiver spent his first three years at Southern California before breaking out at Tennessee for three seasons.
Here’s what McCoy shared on social media:
“TO MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, COACHES, TEAMMATES, AND SUPPORTERS,
First and foremost I want to thank my family for everything they have invested in me during this journey and always standing by my side while playing the sport that God blessed me to be gifted in the past 18 years. Additionally, thank you to my coaches and teammates throughout the years for support and guiding me every step of the way.
It’s with a heavy heart but a feeling of gratitude that I share with you guys that I made the difficult decision to medically retire from football. This has been one of the toughest decisions of my life, but after careful consideration with my doctors, family, and people closest to me l’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the right path for my long-term health and well-being.
As many of you know I came back and played last year after what could’ve been a career ending injury. I felt it was my responsibility to myself, coaches, family, and most importantly the community I have here in Knoxville to give back for all of the love that has been shown to me. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you who has supported me throughout my journey for it means more than you could ever know.
From the first days I stepped onto the field in Pop Warner, through Mater Dei High School, and finding my home at Tennessee, I am now finally turning the page to a long chapter of my life. Whether you were cheering me on from the sidelines or standing by me through adversity, l’lI forever be grateful for all of you.
Although this chapter in my football journey has come to an end, I believe this is just the beginning. I’m excited about the next steps, and I’m determined to continue pushing myself in new directions. This is not the end of my pursuit of greatness, just a new beginning.
In regard to my non-profit, Huddle for Hearts, this is still a project that I am extremely passionate about and still plan to continue to do CPR and defibrillator training to underprivileged as opportunities arise.
Thank you all again, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll carry your support with me into the future and beyond.
WITH GRATITUDE, BRU MCCOY, VOLUNTEER FOR LIFE.”
— Bru McCoy (@BruMcCoy15) May 7, 2025
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In three seasons at Tennessee, McCoy hauled in 108 receptions for 1,356 yards and seven touchdowns. The 220-pound receiver even got his hands dirty running the ball a few times, tallying four attempts for 20 yards during his time on Rocky Top.
First arriving in Knoxville for the 2022 season, McCoy was part of Tennessee’s historic offense alongside wide receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. McCoy recorded career-highs that season in receptions (52), yards (667), and touchdowns (4). While it doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, no Tennessee fan is forgetting his remarkable catch to set up the game-winning field goal against Alabama that season anytime soon.
One of McCoy’s first true breakout performances came in Tennessee’s breakout win over LSU in 2022, putting up 140 yards on seven catches in the game against the Tigers. The week before, McCoy recorded 102 yards and a touchdown on five catches in a narrow win over Florida.
Another memorable moment from his time in Knoxville was Senior Day in 2024, where McCoy soaked everything in by taking pictures with members of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, Tennessee’s Cheer and Dance squads, and even students hanging over the Neyland Stadium field wall. McCoy made one last jog across the field to a roar of cheers after the game as he found his family waiting in the stands.
#Vols WR Bru McCoy jogs off the field after the final regular season game at Neyland Stadium of his career.
Found his family in the stands before going to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/xijDacMrNp
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) November 23, 2024
In 2023, McCoy suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the fifth game of the season. McCoy worked hard in his recovery and returned to the field for what is now known to be his final season of football in 2024.
In his four-year playing career, McCoy recorded 1,592 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns, four rushing attempts, and 20 rushing yards with Southern Cal and Tennessee.
McCoy participated in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft but was not selected, which was expected. While many NFL fans clamored for their teams to sign McCoy to an undrafted free agent contract following the draft, we now have a better look into some of the medical conversations that were happening on McCoy’s side throughout the process.
Former Tennessee WR Bru McCoy is medically retiring from football.
My understanding is it was made known during the draft not to select him — and now we know the reason why. McCoy was high school teammates with Bryce Young at Mater Dei, where he was the U.S. Army Player of the… pic.twitter.com/Z7RUCfWxno
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 7, 2025
McCoy wore No. 15 in his first two seasons with Tennessee and switched to No. 5 for his final season.
Bru McCoy will be remembered in Knoxville as an enforcer in the wide receivers room, a tough player on the field, and a sharp speaker off of it. During his time in Knoxville, McCoy was an active advocate for cardiac arrest awareness, prevention, and treatment, co-creating the non-profit organization Huddle For Hearts. Through the organization, he helps provide AEDs to youth sports organizations and raise awareness.
While his time on the football field may be coming to an end, his impact on the sport is only just beginning.
