Bru McCoy, WR, Tennessee
Size:
Height: 6024
Weight: 209
Arm: 32 ⅛”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist (2024) • Five-star recruit
“Bru McCoy is a physically imposing receiver who uses great timing and intentional routes to find space against opposing defenses.”
Strengths:
In-breaking routes
Vertical stem
Hands
Timing
Concerns:
Injury history
Explosiveness
YAC ability
Film Analysis:
A former five-star recruit and considered a top-10 recruit in the country in the 2019 class, Bru McCoy put his name on the map for Mater Dei High School. Racking up an array of awards after having 78 receptions for 1,428 yards (18.3 avg) with 18 touchdowns as a senior, McCoy signed with USC initially before transferring to Texas, participated in their spring practice, and then transferred back to USC in the summer.
McCoy’s collegiate career has a little of everything with COVID-19 impacting it, transfers, injuries, and everything in between. McCoy returned after a fracture dislocation in 2023, battling injuries again, leading Tennessee receivers in receptions with 39 for 472 yards and two touchdowns.
At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, McCoy is a big, physical presence as an outside receiver whose experience shows in every phase of playing wide receiver. He’s an impactful blocker at the point of attack, and his strength is evident. He can be used to break outside runs for running backs because of his effort and ability to stay connected on blocks. While he could expand his release package use, McCoy quickly gets into his vertical route stem and puts defenders on their heels. Against press coverage, he flashes advanced hand usage to disconnect and get into his route, along with shoulder lean and pure strength to disengage. He sells routes vertically with a rigid frame, great intention, and head usage to keep defenders guessing before his route breaks. He makes quick in-breaking cuts on slants and “in” routes for quick completions over the middle of the field with reliable hands.
Although his breakdowns at the top of routes and out-breakers need improvement, he routinely returns to the football to make himself available to his quarterback. McCoy has reliable hands, and while contested catch opportunities have dropped since he arrived in Tennessee, he has good ball skills and can go up and get the football when asked. When the quarterback breaks the pocket, McCoy finds space well and runs with him, giving him an outlet when needed. His timing with the offense was smooth and precise, which is one of the reasons he was a go-to player for their offense. However, coming off the injury in 2023, his explosiveness and ability after the catch were negatively impacted.
McCoy was clearly limited by coming off the injury, having a first-time starter at quarterback, and how the ball was spread around at Tennessee. Still, he’s a smart receiver who can uncover quickly on in-breakers, be where he’s supposed to be, and be a reliable post-route player for quarterbacks breaking the pocket.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 —Developmental Traits
Written By: Daniel Harms
Exposures: Ohio State (2024), Vanderbilt (2024), Georgia (2024), Mississippi State (2024), Alabama (2024)
