It’s been over a week since Tennessee WR Bru McCoy suffered a season-ending injury during the Vols’ win over South Carolina. Last week’s bye has given the Volunteers football team time to rest, recoup and let the loss of McCoy sink in.
On this week’s Vol Report, TE Jacob Warren discussed what McCoy’s absence means for the team as well as who needs to step up to try and fill the void.
“I think (the loss of McCoy) is something that everybody thinks about pretty much consistently as we move forward,” said Warren. “Just his presence and everything that he brought to the table, not just on the field as a player, but as a teammate and as a person.”
“(McCoy’s absence) is something that you don’t necessarily get over or look over,” Warren continued. “It’s just something that you try to become okay with and accept the fact that it happens. Hopefully (McCoy’s) in good spirits. From everything I’ve heard, he is and he’s ready to get back and be around us.”
The Vols’ are not only missing McCoy’s offensive abilities but his leadership presence as well. According to Warren, there are many players that will need to speak up a little louder. “You definitely look to the tight ends, wide receivers, the quarterbacks to have more of a voice now that you lose a leader in that room,” said Warren. “I think there’s some work to be done at least from myself and from Joe (Milton) to keep those guys up and continue to lead them whenever they’ve felt like they lost a piece of leadership with Bru.”
Warren knows it will take more than just the senior-most players to fill Bru’s shoes. “You’re going to have to have some of our younger guys step up and truly take command the way that Bru has and just trust each other,” said Warren. “There’s no more complaining about not being out there or sitting on the bench. There’s no more of that.”
Warren continued, “It doesn’t matter who is out on the perimeter. As long as they know what they’re doing, they’re confident in their abilities… we’re with you. We’re rolling and we’re good.”
In the meantime, as we look forward to Saturday’s matchup with Texas A&M, Warren knows what the Vols’ offense needs to do to beat the Aggies. “Honestly, (it’s) just trying to find the right pieces, trying to find somebody that’s going to go out there and play hard,” said Warren. “I think it was good to see some of the guys make plays last week versus South Carolina after Bru experienced the injury. (We) just need to continue to pump confidence, good vibes and good energy into them so hopefully they can come ready to play.”
Even though McCoy won’t be on the field this season, he will rejoin the team on the sidelines when he is able. His being there should help ignite the team. “As he gets back into the building and everybody sees him more, I think everybody will be reminded of the impact that he will continue to have.”
Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.
