For Vols, it’s ‘next man up’ mentality when replacing Bru McCoy’s production at wideout
Senior wide receiver Bru McCoy will miss the rest of the season for the Volunteers after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture-dislocation of his right ankle, an injury suffered during the Tennessee win over South Carolina last weekend.
The injury is massive for Josh Heupel’s offense as McCoy has been a key player in this system since coming over prior to the 2022 campaign. His first year on Rocky Top, the transfer finished second on the squad in both receptions and receiving yards. Through the season’s first four games in 2023 he was tied for the team-lead in catches.
Now, Heupel – along with position coach Kelsey Pope – must decide how to replace that production on the field for the Volunteers. The conversation starts with fellow transfer Dont’e Thornton, but it doesn’t stop there according to the head football coach.
“Yeah, Dont’e, but all the guys that you’ve seen and some that you maybe haven’t. You got to continue to grow and be ready to play here on the back half of the season,” Heupel answered when asked about the plan on Wednesday. “Obviously, Bru’s injury [is] devastating for him. And he’s doing well, but at the same time in this game, the next guys got to be ready to step up.”
Thornton missed last week with a hamstring injury – something that sidelined the former Oregon Duck this past spring. Primarily working out of the slot, Thornton has the ability to shift outside in this offense to utilize his 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame.
Sophomore Kaleb Webb was first off the bench when McCoy went down and has four catches in limited time this year, but the Powder Springs, Ga. native caught his first career touchdown pass against UTSA the week before. Fellow sophomore Chas Nimrod also saw time in the second half against the Gamecocks and will be in the fold to see action moving forward as both an inside and outside guy.
“Dont’e wasn’t available last week. Anticipate him being full speed when we get to A&M,” Heupel continued. “And the young guys that played or have played, got to continue to grow and play at a really high level, like a lot of what they did the other night when they got their opportunity. Really the last couple weeks they played pretty good football.
“I don’t know how the rotation will exactly play out as we get to A&M. But we got the ability and flexibility to move guys into different spots. So, all of those guys really have trained at multiple spots.”
While Tennessee figures out who steps up on the field in his absence, Heupel also notes the importance of having McCoy be around the team throughout the journey to recovery. Members of the coaching staff and team have already been by to see him n the days since – something that will likely continue over the next few weeks.
“Yeah, I think for us and for him that will be important as his recovery takes place and he’s able to get back into the building and be around it,” the coach said. “It’s extremely important for our football team. The wide receiver room, he’s developed into an unbelievable leader inside of our program. And for him too, I just think it’s important to be around, the 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.”
On Sunday afternoon after it was announced that the receiver has undergone successful surgery, McCoy had a message for Tennessee fans.
“I want to thank every single individual who has taken the time to check in on me,” McCoy wrote on Instagram, “share words of encouragement, or simply show their support. It means the world to me. I’ll be back, stronger, healthier, and more hungry than ever. Till then, Go Damn Vols.”
Tennessee is on the BYE week and will return to action October 14 by welcoming Texas A&M to Neyland Stadium.
The post For Vols, it’s ‘next man up’ mentality when replacing Bru McCoy’s production at wideout appeared first on On3.
