Tennessee WR Bru McCoy receives meaningful compliment from Vols assistant coach

Tennessee Vols redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy is set to return to action this fall after suffering a devastating season-ending injury last September.

McCoy was injured in the Vols' win against South Carolina in 2023, suffering a fractured/dislocated ankle.

The California native has been participating in fall camp (though he's on a pitch count) and it looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the 2024 season.

On Thursday, McCoy received a big compliment from Vols wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope.

And it had nothing to do with McCoy's on-field performance.

Pope praised McCoy for being one of the best leaders he's ever seen.

"He's done an amazing job of leading this (wide receiver) room," said Pope of McCoy. "He's one of the best leaders I've ever been around -- player or coach -- in my career. We're fortunate to have him in that room."

It's not just Pope that feels that way. True freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley noted earlier this month that having McCoy as a teammate is almost like having another coach.

"Bru is just a fantastic leader," said Staley. "He helps us on an off the field. In the meeting rooms, he's coaching us up like he's Coach Pope. I mean, Coach Pope really don't even have to do any coaching if Bru's in the room."

McCoy is obviously an important player for the Vols. He's a dependable pass-catcher who can pick up tough yards while also being an elite blocker. Throw in his leadership attributes and it's easy to see why he's such a beloved figure in Tennessee's locker room.

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