Josh Heupel is confident that Bru McCoy will be prepared for the beginning of the upcoming season.

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Seven months after sustaining a season-ending injury during the victory against South Carolina, Tennessee wide receiver Bru McCoy continues to show significant progress in his recovery journey. Head coach Josh Heupel provided an optimistic update on the sixth-year senior’s condition and his prospects for the upcoming season ahead of the final Big Orange Caravan stop in the Tri-Cities on Wednesday night. Heupel stated that McCoy “should be ready” for the start of the season, marking the conclusion of the annual fan-event tour.

McCoy suffered a fracture-dislocation of his right ankle following an awkward tackle while fighting for extra yardage after a catch in the second quarter of Tennessee’s 41-20 win against South Carolina towards the end of September, which was the fifth game of the season.

His path to recovery commenced with multiple surgeries, including one shortly after the injury, followed by an over-week-long hospital stay.

He gradually transitioned from using a knee scooter to navigate around campus in the fall to relying on crutches to walking independently, and he has continued to increase his athletic movement during the weeks and months of the offseason.

Heupel expressed satisfaction with McCoy’s progress, mentioning a recent video of a rehab session sent to him by a staff member. “Been really exciting to see just his growth,” Heupel said. “I had our strength staff record him the other day as he was sprinting in the indoor, and he looks really natural. The gait is fluid. The speed is coming along really well. Man, just I’m really excited for him. There’s a big forest that you’ve got to go through with the injury that he’s had and he’s had to do this multiple times for different reasons. It’s fun to see him come out the other side of the forest, and really excited for Bru.”

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound McCoy’s absence was keenly felt by the Tennessee passing game, which regressed from the record-setting performance of 2022. The team struggled to replace his physical presence and ability to make contested catches, as there is no player similar to him on the roster. McCoy’s tenacity and competitiveness make him a difficult matchup despite not possessing elite speed, a quality present elsewhere in the receiving corps – he adds toughness to the finesse.

McCoy missed spring practice as the competition intensified at wide receiver, a position Heupel believes is the deepest it has been during his tenure. Newcomers like Chris Brazzell II, a four-star transfer from Tulane, and Mike Matthews, a five-star freshman, showcased their playmaking abilities, while Dont’e Thornton Jr. appeared rejuvenated after a injury-plagued first season with the Vols. Kaleb Webb and Chas Nimrod looked to build on the experience they gained after stepping into larger roles following McCoy’s injury as redshirt freshmen last season.

The Vols also bring back their leading receiver, Squirrel White. McCoy could have held that position if not for the injury, as he was Tennessee’s second-leading receiver in 2022. The Southern California transfer, who was a five-star recruit out of high school, has reshaped the narrative of his career positively at Tennessee, and he is gearing up for one final season with the Vols with the aim of ending his challenging college career on a high note.

“He should be ready,” Heupel reiterated. “He’s in a position to have an elite summer and be ready to roll. What do I expect from him? Expect him to play at a championship level, man.”