If Tennessee’s offensive linemen need extra motivation, they can just look to either side. The Vols have great blockers at receiver, which can only amp up the entire team.
Led by senior Bru McCoy, Tennessee’s receivers take pride in blocking both in the running game and downfield after the Vols complete a pass.
“I think everybody kind of gets a little bit of juice from a guy like that,” Mays said of McCoy on The Vol Report. “If you see somebody being dominant, even as an o-lineman, if you see Bru down there kicking the dog out of somebody, then it makes you want to play harder.”
Mays said McCoy’s blocking is contagious for the entire team. That’s especially true for Tennessee’s receivers. Tennessee receiver coach Kelsey Pope said he’s been pleased with the Vols’ receivers and how they’ve played when they don’t have the ball in their hands. Mays has seen the effort as well.
“When you see a wide receiver running down the field blocking, it’s it’s super cool,” Mays said.
McCoy has caught 12 passes for 200 yards this season. However, he has yet to catch a touchdown pass. That’s likely just bad luck as the Vols rotated several receivers into the game in their first four games.
Six Volunteers have caught a touchdown pass this year this season. Three of those players have been receivers.
Dont’e Thornton leads the Vols with three touchdown receptions. Chris Brazzell II and Mike Matthews both have a touchdown apiece. McCoy, however, leads the Vols with 12 receptions and is second on the team with 200 receiving yards. It seems to be just a matter of time until McCoy finds the end zone.
That could certainly happen this week when the Vols face Arkansas and a pass defense that ranks 14th in the nation. However, a touchdown catch won’t prove McCoy’s worth. He’s already done that while “kicking the dog” out of his opponents.
