Tennessee receiver Bru McCoy’s season isn’t completely over after he suffered a fractured ankle that will keep him from playing for the remainder of the year. The Vols still need McCoy, as a leader.
“I think for us and for him, that will be important as his recovery takes place and he is able to get back into the building and be around it,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. “It is extremely important for our football team and wide receiver room. He has developed into an unbelievable leader inside of our program, and for him too, I just think it’s important to be around guys that care about you and still be a part of it, and he will be a huge part of it when he gets back.”
McCoy suffered the injury in Tennessee’s win over South Carolina. He underwent surgery on Sunday and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
McCoy’s primary focus in the coming weeks will be his physical recovery and, perhaps more difficultly, keeping a positive state of mind. Aside from that, McCoy will still be expected to be a vocal force for the Vols, especially for UT’s receivers who now have a massive whole to fill.
“I have been over there, and a bunch of our teammates and staff have been over to see him,” Heupel said of visiting McCoy in the hospital. “Everybody can understand all the time and effort that goes into getting yourself ready to play your best football during the course of the season, and nobody prepared harder than he did. He invested the right way, and when you invest and you no longer have that opportunity, you have an injury like he had, it’s hard, it’s devastating, and you feel like it’s an opportunity that no longer exists. The early days of that are hard.
“I think it’s the hardest part of being an athlete, you’re constantly pushing toward something and all of the sudden you have an injury and however long it is, you’re kind of in no man’s land. As he starts his recovery process, I think that’s the next best thing because you’re working towards something.”
McCoy’s absence will be felt far beyond just his actual production. He required extra attention from opposing defensive backs because of his size, physicality and speed. The Vols may not have that in whomever they chose to take up McCoy’s snaps. However, they also don’t have time to completely change their offense midway through the season.
“It is plug and play,” Heupel said. “You can’t have a total overhaul to what you’re doing. Believe in the guys that have had the opportunity to play. They have to continue to grow. They have to step up and be ready for that role…That is why if you’re not a starter, not playing a bunch of football, it’s not about where you’re at, it’s preparing yourself for the moment when you get the opportunity and our guys have done that, but they have to also continue to grow.”
Oregon transfer Dont’e Thornton Jr., redshirt freshmen Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod and true freshman Nathan Leacock are all likely to see more game action with McCoy not on the field. Fortunately, he’ll be alongside his less experienced counterparts to ease their transition – and his.
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Will Bru McCoy be eligible for a medical redshirt after his ankle fracture?