While fans around the NFL world have been hoping their team would sign undrafted free agent Bru McCoy this spring, the former Tennessee and Southern Cal receiver announced on Tuesday night that he is medically retiring from the sport.
The 24-year-old posted the news in a social media message.
“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,” McCoy wrote in his post. “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.”
After spending his first three collegiate years with USC, McCoy found his home in Knoxville when he transferred to Tennessee before the 2022 season. In three years on Rocky Top, McCoy established himself as a fan favorite on the roster with 1,356 yards and seven touchdowns on 108 receptions.
McCoy played at Tennessee for three seasons, but the middle one was cut short due to a season-ending ankle injury after just five games. The California native worked hard to return to the field in 2024, which is now known as his last season of football.
Here’s a look at Bru McCoy’s Top 5 moments from his Tennessee career:
Honorable Mention: McCoy Records First Career Two-Touchdown Game on Senior Day
McCoy recorded his first career two-touchdown game in Tennessee’s home finale against UTEP last season. It’s fitting that McCoy’s game came on Senior Day, too.
In a 56-0 shutout win, McCoy hauled in four receptions for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
After the game, McCoy made sure to soak everything in before heading off the field in Neyland Stadium for the final time. McCoy took pictures with members of Tennessee’s band, cheer team, dance team, and even a few students who were front and center on the field wall.
#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
No. 5 – Orange Bowl Touchdown From Joe Milton III
McCoy was electric in his first season in Knoxville with Tennessee’s historic offense featuring QB Hendon Hooker and fellow WRs Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. While the Vols came up short of the playoffs, No. 6 Tennessee still earned a spot in the Orange Bowl against No. 7 Clemson.
With 5:24 remaining in the first quarter of a scoreless game, Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III connected with McCoy for a 16-yard touchdown. McCoy ran a post route from the outside and made a tough catch in traffic to give Tennessee the first lead of the game. This was McCoy’s lone postseason touchdown during his Tennessee career, as he missed the Citrus Bowl with injury in 2023 and did not record a score against Ohio State in the playoffs. With Southern Cal, he recorded a touchdown in a Pac-12 title game loss to Oregon in 2020.
(Clip is time-stamped upon play)
No. 4 – McCoy’s First Tennessee Touchdown Sets Up Big Rally Against Pitt
McCoy’s second game at Tennessee came on the road at No. 17 Pitt in September 2022. With Tennessee down 17-7 in the second quarter, Hooker found McCoy streaking down the left sideline for a 32-yard touchdown to bring things to a one score game.
McCoy’s touchdown ended up being the first of three straight scores for the Vols in the quarter, followed by a one-yard TD run from Jabari Small and a 37-yard field goal from Chase McGrath as the half expired. Tennessee would go on to win 34-27 in overtime.
(Clip is time-stamped upon play)
No. 3 – Huddle For Hearts
In the fall of 2023, McCooy partnered with the Peyton Walker Foundation to develop the non-profit organization Huddle For Hearts. It is an initiative “to help youth athlete organizations receive AEDs (automated external defibrillator), a medical device designed to save those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.”
While his football career is ending, McCoy’s impact on the sport is only just beginning. The former Vol revealed in his retirement post that he will continue his work with Huddle For Hearts as he raises awareness for cardiac arrests with athletes.
“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,” McCoy penned on Tuesday.
Huddle For Hearts is the name of my initiative to spread awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and raise money to bring AED’s to underprivileged communities as well as CPR and AED use! I look forward to continuing to do things like this & help any community in need! @PeytonWalkerOrg https://t.co/q2hIVtZQY4
— Bru McCoy (@BruMcCoy15) July 22, 2023
No. 2 – Breakout Showing in SEC Play
In his first three games in his debut season with the Vols, McCoy recorded 42 yards against Ball State, 58 yards against Pitt, and nine yards against Akron.
Then came SEC play.
McCoy had his first big breakout performance with five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in a narrow 38-33 win over Florida in Neyland Stadium. That was so nice, he did it twice. In the very next game against LSU on the road, McCoy went back to triple digits with a career high 140 receiving yards on seven receptions in the blowout victory. While his first few showings established his name in Knoxville, a two-week stretch against Florida and LSU with 242 yards will put you on the map across the whole college football world.
No. 1 – McCoy’s Catch To Set Up Game-Winning Field Goal Against Alabama
Let’s set the scene.
October 15, 2022, Neyland Stadium. Alabama kicker Will Reichard misses a go-ahead 50-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in a tied 49-49 contest.
That gave Tennessee the ball back on the UT 32. Hendon Hooker fires a pass to Ramel Keyton for 18 yards to get to midfield. Timeout. Nine seconds left.
Hendon Hooker uncorks a deep ball over the middle to Bru McCoy, who hauls in the remarkable 27-yard pass. Timeout. Two seconds left.
Chase McGrath game-winner from 40 out. Ballgame.
McCoy’s catch wasn’t just impressive, it was a part of an answered prayer by hundreds of thousands of Tennessee fans across the country. Keyton’s catch was eye-opening, but McCoy’s catch was where you said, “Oh s*!%, Tennessee might actually do this thing here.”
And they did. 52-49.
