He will move on from the game.
Bru McCoy is stepping away from football for good. The former Tennessee wide receiver announced in a social media post on Tuesday night that he has made the decision to medically retire from the game after going undrafted a couple of weeks ago.
McCoy returned to Tennessee following a gruesome leg injury in 2023, one that many said could have ended his career. After accomplishing his goal of coming back to Tennessee for one final season and helping the Volunteers to a College Football Playoff berth, McCoy will shut things down for good.
— Bru McCoy (@BruMcCoy15) May 7, 2025
“It’s with a heavy heart but a feeling of gratitude that I share with you guys that I made the difficult decision to medically retire from football,” McCoy said in the post. “This has been one of the toughest decisions of my life, but after careful consideration with my doctors, family, and people closest to me, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the right path for my long-term health and well-being.
“As many of you know, I came back and played last year after what could’ve been a career ending injury. I felt it was my responsibility to myself, coaches, family, and most importantly the community I have here in Knoxville to give back for all of the love that has been shown to me. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you who has supported me throughout my journey for it means more than you could ever know.”
McCoy caught 39 passes for 472 yards and two touchdowns in his final season in Knoxville. His best season came with Hendon Hooker in 2022, where he caught 52 passes for 667 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-3, 220 pound receiver was a power player for Josh Heupel, handing screens on the perimeter and operating quite a bit as a lead blocker for others.
There was some thought that he could transition to tight end at the next level, but instead he’ll opt to preserve his body and move on to the next opportunity in life.
McCoy will be remembered nationally for one of the wildest recruiting processes of all time. In Knoxville, he’ll be remembered as a player who found a home and truly gave his all for the University of Tennessee.