Tag: Bru McCoy

Saturday Down South picks five most important returning SEC players

Quinn Ewers is one of Saturday Down South’s five most important returning SEC players.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is back for another season in Austin. Saturday Down South views his decision as one of the five most important returns in the SEC.

Ewers was a terrific player in 2023. Over the season, Ewers was No. 9 in the Power Five in passing yards (3,462) and No. 8 in completion percentage (68.5). He added 28 touchdown passes to only six interceptions on the season.

The third-year quarterback is expected to take another step forward in 2024. Though he’ll be throwing to different receivers, there will not be much of a talent drop-off, if any. Ewers’ top targets will likely be Alabama transfer wide receiver Isaiah Bond, five-star receiver Johntay Cook and Houston receiver transfer Matthew Golden.

Here’s a look at Saturday Down South’s five most important returning players in the SEC.

Former USC receiver Bru McCoy will have a sixth season in college, stays at Tennessee

Bru McCoy will play college football for one more year.

Former USC wide receiver Bru McCoy, now at Tennessee, will return for the 2024 season rather than enter the NFL draft, he announced Tuesday on Instagram.

“Can’t wait Run it back next year, thank you Vol Nation for all the love and Support,” McCoy wrote. “I love this team, staff, and University & look forward to giving my all, one more time!”

Vols Wire had more on the story.

Before Tennessee played in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, McCoy called Josh Heupel and Kelsey Pope to tell the Vols the good news.

“They were excited and just as excited as I am,” McCoy said. “I think more than anything we are just glad we get the opportunity to do something because we all see that there is something special we could do in the next year. This next year, even this year I thought we had a chance to win the SEC and make a run at it. I think this next year we have and even better chance. There is just excitement because everyone wants to go live that dream out.”

McCoy was expected to enter the 2024 NFL draft, but that came into question after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury against South Carolina on Sept. 30.

McCoy, a USC transfer and former five-star prospect, was the Vols’ go-to receiver in the middle third of the field.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound receiver had 17 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown this season for the Vols. In 2022, he had 52 receptions for 667 yards and four TDs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1nkjVFtI_3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Visit our friends at Fighting Irish Wire, Buffaloes Wire, and Ducks Wire.

Bru McCoy announces return to Tennessee in 2024

Wide receiver Bru McCoy announces return to Tennessee in 2024.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy announced he is returning to Tennessee in 2024.

“Let’s run it back,” McCoy announced. “Thank you Vol nation for all the love and support, especially since my injury. This place and team is special and I truly believe the best is yet to come! Go Vols.”

McCoy suffered a season-ending fracture-dislocation of his right ankle in the second quarter versus South Carolina on Sept. 30, 2023.

He appeared in five games for the Vols in 2023, recording 17 receptions, 217 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Tennessee (9-4, 4-4 SEC) concluded its 2023 season by defeating Iowa (10-4, 7-2 Big Ten), 35-0, Monday in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel discusses wide receiver rotation after Bru McCoy’s injury

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses the Vols’ wide receiver rotation after Bru McCoy’s injury.

Tennessee redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy suffered a season-ending fracture-dislocation of his right ankle in the second quarter versus South Carolina on Sept. 30.

McCoy appeared in five games for the Vols in 2023, recording 17 receptions, 217 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.

Head coach Josh Heupel was asked about the Vols’ wide receiver rotation during Tennessee’s off week after playing South Carolina.

“I don’t know how the rotation will exactly play out as we get to (Texas) A&M, but we have the ability and the flexibility to move guys into different spots,” Heupel said. “All of those guys have trained at multiple spots.”

Tennessee will next play Texas A&M on Oct. 14 at Neyland Stadium (3:30 p.m. EDT, CBS).

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee’s Bru McCoy, out for the season, faces a 2024 choice

This is brutal for the former USC Trojan.

Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy exited Saturday’s game versus South Carolina in the second quarter following an injury. The injury was created by an awkward tackle from a South Carolina defender.

The university announced Sunday that McCoy underwent season-ending surgery for a “fracture-dislocation” of the right ankle.

“I hate what happened to Bru,” Vols coach Josh Heupel said. “We will have more of an update tomorrow or Monday. Everybody saw it was a lower-body injury that didn’t look good. There is nobody better than him.”

McCoy has a year of eligibility remaining and could return to Tennessee in 2024. McCoy redshirted at USC in 2019 and spent two seasons at USC before transferring to Tennessee.

McCoy, a former five-star recruit, was the Vols’ leading returning receiver entering the 2023 season. He had 52 catches for 667 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, his first season with the Vols. McCoy faces an important decision on whether to return for one more year of college ball or pursue an NFL path.

Follow Buffaloes Wire for complete coverage of Deion Sanders and Colorado.

Follow Ducks Wire for coverage of Oregon football leading into the big game against Washington on October 14.

USC win over Colorado feels hollow because Alex Grinch isn’t doing his job.

Experts think Alex Grinch will prevent USC from making the Pac-12 Championship Game.

The coach who ripped Jordan Addison for transferring to USC is now staring at a humiliating season in Pittsburgh.

2023 SEC receiving yard leaders after Week 4

A look at SEC football receiving yard leaders after Week 4.

Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) defeated UTSA (1-3, 0-0 AAC), 45-14, in Week 4 at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee will next play on Saturday versus South Carolina at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by SEC Network.

The Vols are ranked No. 19 in the US LBM Coaches Poll entering Week 5.

Tennessee kicked off its 2023 season on Sept. 2, defeating Virginia, 49-13, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee’s home schedule has contests against Austin Peay (W, 30-13), UTSA (W, 45-14), South Carolina, Texas A&M, UConn, Georgia and Vanderbilt.

The Vols’ road schedule features games at Florida (L, 29-16), Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri.

2023 Tennessee Vols football schedule: Downloadable smartphone wallpaper

PHOTOS: Vols are victorious against UTSA at Neyland Stadium

Following Week 4 contests, Vols Wire looks at SEC receiving yard leaders and are listed below.

2023 SEC receiving yard leaders after Week 3

A look at SEC football receiving yard leaders after Week 3.

Tennessee will next play in Week 4 on Saturday versus UTSA at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff between Tennessee and the Roadrunners is slated for 4 p.m. EDT and will be televised by SEC Network.

The Vols are ranked No. 20 in the US LBM Coaches Poll entering Week 4.

Tennessee kicked off its 2023 season on Sept. 2, defeating Virginia, 49-13, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tennessee’s home schedule has contests against Austin Peay (W, 30-13), UTSA, South Carolina, Texas A&M, UConn, Georgia and Vanderbilt.

The Vols’ road schedule features games at Florida (L, 29-16), Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri.

PHOTOS: Tennessee suffers first loss in 2023 at Florida

Following Week 3 contests, Vols Wire looks at SEC receiving yard leaders and are listed below.

A look back at Tennessee’s win versus Florida in 2022

A look back at Tennessee’s win versus Florida in 2022.

Tennessee first fielded a football team in 1891 and the Vols have played in memorable games throughout its history.

Each week, Vols Wire will recap a memorable game against its upcoming opponent.

In Week 3, Vols Wire looks back at Tennessee’s 38-33 win versus Florida on Sept. 24, 2022 at Neyland Stadium.

Quarterback Hendon Hooker completed 22-of-28 passing attempts, 349 yards and two  touchdowns. He also rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown on 13 attempts.

Running back Jabari Small recorded 90 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 attempts. He also recorded one touchdown reception.

Bru McCoy was Tennessee’s leading wide receiver, totaling five receptions, 102 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Kamal Hadden recorded five tackles, two assists and one interception.

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Bru McCoy previews Tennessee-Austin Peay game

Watch: Bru McCoy previews Tennessee-Austin Peay game

No. 10 Tennessee (1-0, 0-0 SEC) will play Austin Peay (0-1, 0-0 ASUN) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff between the Vols and Governors is slated for 5 p.m. EDT and can be watched on SEC Network+.

Redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy recorded two receptions and 21 receiving yards versus Virginia in Week 1.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound wide receiver appeared in 12 games for the Vols in 2022, recording 52 receptions, 667 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns and three rushing yards.

McCoy met with media on Monday and previewed the Austin Peay game. His media availability can be watched below.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Three Vols receive preseason All-SEC honors

Three Tennessee players named to preseason All-SEC teams.

Vols were named preseason All-SEC by the league’s coaches ahead of the 2023 season.

Wide receiver Bru McCoy, offensive lineman Javontez Spraggins and offensive lineman Cooper Mays received preseason All-SEC honors.

McCoy earned second-team honors. He started in 12 games last season, recording 52 receptions, 667 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He also had three 100-yard receiving games.

Spraggins earned third-team honors. He started 13 games for the Vols at right guard, playing 691 offensive snaps and allowed two sacks in 2022.

Mays earned third-team honors. He started 13 games in 2022, playing 897 offensive snaps, and did not allow a sack in Tennessee’s last five contests.

Mays has appeared in 31 career games and made 23 starts.