Her work has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the Football Writers Association of America, the Los Angeles Press Club and the Best American Sports Writing series. There was Alexa, who loved being the water girl at his Pop Warner gameshanding out Gatorade bottles to all the playersand would cry when he lost. "Unique two-way player with a high projection at receiver or outside linebacker. McCoy, 21, did not play a snap at USC this season after he was arrested in July on suspicion of violating California Penal Code Section 273.5 (a), which covers domestic violence toward a spouse or other cohabitant. I just found myself finding value in the wrong things when I was making my decision. Both former coach Clay Helton and interim coach Donte Williams declined at various points over the past season to address McCoys status amid the ongoing investigation. The next couple of days: 102, 101, 101. "That it wasn't all for nothing. When Alexa was learning to ride a bike at age five, a three-year-old Bru asked for one tooneeding to be better at riding than her. Something was just off. Mirin Fader is a staff writer for B/R Mag. "'Why am I living life in such a hurry?'". "Uhhi" she said. He's never going to be anything." CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Outstanding pass rusher who combines an explosive first step to get the edge with the power to bull rush a tackle or change direction and flashes a quick move to the inside. The Bru McCoy Transfer Saga Is Uncharted Territory in the NCAA The craziest story of the college football season has been the transfers of Bru McCoy, who looks set to wind up at USC after. "He was in eighth grade, and he was a Division I player to me," says Darryl Lance Johnson, who has coached dozens of Division I players in his 40-year career and coached Bru throughout his childhood. And there were his parents, who told him: "We love you. Others found him on LinkedIn to threaten death to his son. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. He likes to read books, like the one currently on his nightstand next to his bed: The Mindful Athlete by George Mumford. Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports was the first to report. The NCAA introduced the transfer portal on Oct. 15, 2018, providing athletes a path to explore their options. As a baby, he was just a bruiser, bouncing around, learning to flip out of his crib at eight months. But others were not as understanding. At the time, McCoy was released on $50,000 bond. His stomach would rumble with excitement, with nerves, heading down the 405 each morning. It felt like everything was crumbling around him. Right now, there's a lot of uncertainty with McCoy's off-the-field situation. On the ride home, Horace looked back in the rearview mirror and caught Bru smiling wide: "Bet you won't call him Touchdown Tommy anymore. 0:04. All this misery, the back-and-forth. College Football HQ rated McCoy as the No. His fever finally went down. - AP College Football. Reach Adam Sparks at [email protected] and on Twitter @AdamSparks. Then he began sweating uncontrollably. He was just a body to them. That decision has helped transform the game of college football by giving players an easier opportunity to change teams and direct their playing careers. They care about their players. USC wide receiver Bru McCoy's time with the Trojans program is coming to an end. According to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, wide receiver recruit Bru McCoy who has already started taking classes at USCis in the NCAA transfer portal. Or the strength staff leaving? Everyone is upset with you. Recently he completed a trip around the peninsula, about 22 miles, his calves burning, his back aching. Things dont just get handed to you, given to you. "There's . Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Facebook | Twitter. McCoy is already listed in the Tennessee student directory, which is a positive sign and one step . He's a has-been. She found that her son had responded to a negative comment that read: "Bru is a nobody. Clay Helton helped him turn a corner, The chance of a lifetime: Five friends ski the tallest mountain in Los Angeles, Shocking, impossible gas bills push restaurants to the brink of closures, Review: A reimagined Secret Garden fails to flower anew at the Ahmanson Theatre, A $150,000 executive protection dog? "I had to kind of come to terms with myself," he says. "When chaos is raging around you, that's when it's time to get quiet, to listen and to think. Outstanding pass rusher who combines an explosive first step to get the edge with the power to bull rush a tackle or change direction and flashes a quick move to the inside. In Tennessee's 31-14 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl, Bru McCoy, Squirrel White and Ramel Keyton started. A coach he had pretty much a couple-week relationship with. Running back Kenan Christon, who entered the transfer portal. Schumann returning to Georgia, Transfer portal tracker: Breaking down options for top players, Football recruiting class rankings: Deion Sanders, Lincoln Riley land key prospects. McCoy has re-entered the transfer portal, opening the door for what would be a shocking return to Southern California, according to Greg Biggins of 247 Sports. A player is free to withdraw his name at any time. In fact, there was a time in 2019 where Smart had four of his players arrested in just the last month. 'Am I OK with who I am?' 9 overall recruit in the 2021 class per the 247Sports Composite. Strangers on social media forgot he was a human being. Couldn't stop the comments, the posts. His antibodies were very high, which meant his body was fighting something. This feels like cheating. At first, he was diagnosed with strep throat, but the fevers grew inconsistent. To recap: McCoy enrolled early at USC in January, only to transfer to Texas after reportedly becoming . McCoy had entered the college football transfer portal for a third time in January. BREAKING: #Texas WR Bru McCoy just informed the Longhorns coaching staff moments ago he plans to transfer out of Austin and will enter the transfer portal, McCoy's statement below pic.twitter.com . Here's a look at one potential breakout star for each player in the 2021 Way-Too-Early Top 25. A coach he had never even been coached by. After many thoughts and prayers with family and mentors, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal.. There were a lot of factors that went in to his decision, McCoys father Horace said, via 247Sports. In the spring of 2019, McCoy, the top-ranked athlete in his recruiting class, enrolled early at USC after graduating from Mater Dei High School. I don't fault [Kingsbury] one bit. "It was a huge load," says Arthur Aragon, his counselor at Mater Dei. He feels happy. USC wide receiver Bru McCoy runs the ball during the 2020 Pac-12 championship game against Oregon. A dominant outside receiving presence, he can create mismatches downfield and beat defenders with elite athleticism. He was an athlete. "I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders," Bru says. Uiagalelei. He's passionate about social justice, world issues and travel. Plays the run very well and is comfortable in space or dropping back in to coverage. When asked now to think of what he'd write,to try to define himself after all he's learned, he grows quiet. Is also a tremendous blocker and plays with incredible effort. Among the 14 were star-crossed wide receivers Bru McCoy and Jake Smith, both of whom transferred out, running backs Kenyatta Watson II and Derrian Brown, and linebacker De'Gabriel Floyd, whose career was hampered by injury. He played four games at Mater Dei with a broken hand. I thought Bru McCoy's recruitment was going to be the most clusterfucky, but Zach Evans even has him beat. "I'm in a position where I really get to write the rest of my story.". I would have done the same thing, truthfully. McCoy, who ranks as the No. They felt he had turned his back on them. He'd attend class and practice for the rest of the day, having double responsibilities as a two-way player, not coming home until 9 at night. But theres an opportunity to come in and earn a real position here be a true contributor, help this team win games and those types of things., GoVols247's Patrick Brown contributed to this report. We're here for you, and football doesn't affect our relationship or our love.". 0:53. He appeared in six games for USC in 2020, totaling 21 receptions, 236. They found him. Watch Highlights Tennessee Volunteers Jersey #15 Class R-JR. USC wide receiver Bru McCoy entered the transfer portal on Thursday, according to multiple reports. McCoy, 21, did not play a snap at USC this season after he was arrested in July on suspicion of violating California Penal Code Section 273.5(a), which covers domestic violence toward a spouse or other cohabitant. He would sweat so profusely in his sleep that he'd have to flip over his mattress each day. So what's really going on with <b>Bru. McCoy had an interesting road to USC as a recruit. "Do you play Call of Duty? See who he is without football. Someone like me, I think I will thrive here. But Bru's were not just his. He'd wake up at 6 a.m., walk to the training facility to get his temperature taken, find it was still over 100, walk back to his apartment and try to sleep on his stiff leather couch, sweating the rest of the day. "Bru has only one speed," says Graham Harrell, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Georgia Transfer Portal . He wanted to be Reggie Bush, so he wore No. It didnt take long for Bru McCoy to set his sights on Tennessee after he added his name to the NCAA transfer portal in January. "You have to be the quiet in the storm," Horace Sr. told him. People who thought that just because he could catch a football and might one day make millions doing so, they had a right to condemn him. Now, he comes to a Volunteers offense that ranked top 10 in college football a year ago and features Hendon Hooker as one of the SEC's most efficient quarterbacks. Bru was the same way. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Alabama, Conquered: How Kirby Smart, Georgia Finally Broke Through to Win It All, What Nick Saban Told Kirby Smart After Title Game, College Football Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2022, Get Sports Illustrated's Georgia Championship Commemorative Issue. He walked by nine months, not needing to crawl. His family didn't understand at first. Bru McCoy hauls in his final TD with USC (0:30), USC receiver McCoy back in portal for third time, Breaking down the latest in 2024 football recruiting, from top commits to March visits, The Turnover Luck Index: Rating every 2022 team, from USC to Rutgers, ACC boss: Rule changes backed by FBS leaders, Stoops: QB Leary (pec) 'close to full go' for UK, Hall of Fame coach Ault named to CFP committee, Top draft prospect Carter charged in fatal crash, New NCAA president readies for NIL, legal issues, Ex-Vols staffers agree to show-cause penalties, UNC hires ex-Browns HC Kitchens as assistant, Kiper's updated NFL mock draft: Who's moving up for a QB? One of the top players left in the college football transfer portal has announced his new destination as wide receiver Bru McCoy said he will leave USC and play at Tennessee this season.. This community, the campus everything the way people treat each other here, it fits the type of person I am. He used to feel uncomfortable in high school when his friends would shout "All-American!" ", He was tested for lymphoma, autoimmune diseases. In August, the Los Angeles District Attorney's office declined to file criminal charges against McCoy. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound McCoy transferred to Tennessee from USC. McCoy has had a less than stellar path to Tennessee . His official visit to Tennessee in late March allowed him to attend at least a portion of two of the Vols spring practices and spend plenty of time with Heupels staff, including first-yearwide receivers coach Kelsey Pope. They were the reason he was able to keep going. Photo via @BruMcCoy on Instagram. ", He had put so much emphasis on one coach's departure. Genuinely happy. McCoy said he informed the Vols of his decision in late March before the end of his official visit toKnoxville. August 22, 2022 8:24 am ET Wide receiver Bru McCoy committed to Tennessee in May. His dad had to tell him to post his offers on social media. That made him feel more betrayed. McCoy was arrested on suspicion of intimate partner violence last July and "temporarily removed from team activities". He pickedUSC at the 2019 All-American Bowl and later enrolled in Los Angeles. He didn't want to tell anyone about it. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He had to quiet the noise in his head, try to accept his journey by practicing mindfulness. Genuinely good. He had a choice: grit his teeth, push through it, just stay at Texas, and look back on his life and say although he went to Texas, he wanted to be at USC the whole timeor leave. The 247 guys for every single site are so sick of this kid - it's insane. A player is free to take his name out of the portal at any time. He was a 5-star, 247Sports' No. The Vols havent made any promises to McCoy, he said, about the role he might play once he arrives at Tennessee later this spring. And it was frustrating, not being able to answer when people asked him: What's wrong with you? Unique two-way player with a high projection at receiver or outside linebacker. As much as they want you to be a great player and productive, they want you to be a great man. From talking to Chase and Velus, it just piqued my interest, McCoy said. "There are some things that are out of my control and Bru . The Ole Bru McCoy special. One of the hardest parts was facing himself. Thank god we landed Bijan and can enjoy this recruitment from the outside. Bru McCoy reels in a short touchdown on fourth down for USC vs. Oregon. He had an enormous amount of blood drawn. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. So he didn't talk about it, remembering something his grandfather, Horace McCoy Sr., told him often, starting back when he was in ninth grade. USC third-year wide receiver Bru McCoy entered the transfer portal Thursday, 247Sports has learned. ], I want to thank God, my coaches and Vol Nation for a great two years in Knoxville, Merrill posted on Twitter. Bru McCoy NCAA Pos WR Height 6-3 Weight 220 Evaluation Timeline Prospect Info High School Mater Dei City Santa Ana, CA Exp 2022 - . She smiled. He researches random topics and often pulls over when he sees a homeless person to give them money. McCoy, one of the most ballyhooed recruits in years, played only one full season with the Trojans. However, shortly afterward that January he decided to leave USC for Texas. Going back to USC, in the summer of 2019, Bru had to confront his former teammates. Its time to go to work, though.. USC wide receiver Bru McCoy has entered the football transfer portal for the third time. He wanted to be around a positive culture in a great learning environment with players who want to be there and it just felt like home for Bru right away.. He didn't have enough physical strength to stand on the sideline for games, which was interpreted by some as his not being a team player. Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) January 14, 2022. Linebacker Aaron Willis, quarterback Kaidon Salter, athlete Kaemen Marley, running back Tiyon Evans, offensive lineman William Parker and tight ends Julian Nixon, Miles Campbell and Trinity Bell also have left. Former USC wide receiver Bru McCoy has officially committed to the Tennessee Volunteers. He attended a family wedding, feeling confused as ever. "Getting upset doesn't get you to where you want to be," Horace Sr. continued. USC wide receiver Bru McCoy entered the transfer portal on Thursday, according to multiple reports. How confused he felt then, how motivated he feels now. Rollinson says. Bru McCoy was in a bad frame of mind as he battled a mysterious illness. - Led Mater Dei to two consecutive CIF and state titles in his junior and senior seasons. 'With the choices I've made? Just football and academics.". Sometimes he struggled to keep his eyes open while they drove home on the 405 because he was so exhausted. According to ESPN, McCoy . May 3, 2022, 7:59 PM Former USC receiver Bru McCoy is transferring to Tennessee, he announced Tuesday on social media. Outstanding pass rusher who combines an explosive first step to get the edge with the power to bull rush a tackle or change direction and flashes a quick move to the inside. He was sad. Your team is losing. Running back Kenan Christon, who entered the transfer portal last month, was suspended for the 2021 season after a physical altercation with another USC student. The 2021 season was projected to be a big one for McCoy in the Trojans offense. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. 21 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns across six games. Where he plays in college will be interesting as he prefers receiver but might have more upside as a 3-4 outside backer. He had done something few young athletes do: chased his own happiness. That self you can't avoid, can't lie to, when your head hits the pillow at night. ", When he was 12, Bru's team made it to the Pop Warner national championship. He wasn't sure if his judgment was cloudedif he had chosen this place just because it was steeped in childhood nostalgia. Capture the thrills of Tennessee football's epic 2022 season with our special newbook. 2023 ABG-SI LLC. Potential early impact player at BCS level and high round NFL draft pick. He was still trying to figure it out. Somebody's son. He didn't hold a press conference on signing day. Is also a tremendous blocker and plays with incredible effort. when he'd walk by. Whilethe Los Angeles district attorney declined to press charges, USC suspended McCoy in August from team activities and he never returned to the field. 1 athlete in the 2019 recruiting class. 1. They merely need to request that compliance enter their name. But he wasn't other students. she thought. USC, which conducted its own Title IX investigation, did not reinstate McCoy and did not allow him to participate in team activities last season. "I should have never cared. Ryan Kartje is the USC beat writer at the Los Angeles Times. The dentist. He wants to go into real estate after his career is over. The recruiting saga of 2019 five-star receiver Bru McCoy keeps on getting weirder. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. "Bru! Honestly, the thing that was wrong with Texas was that it wasn't USC. Runs well enough to get behind a defense, makes the tough catch look routine and can do something with the ball in his hands after the catch as well. There were 2,646 FBS players to enter the transfer portal during the 2020-21 transfer cycle, per a source. He was a three-star signee in the 2020 class. "I used to joke with him: 'Bru, are you this intense when you go to the bathroom?'" BREAKING: Southern Cal WR transfer Bru McCoy has committed to the #Vols, giving #Tennessee a former five-star prospect at a position of need. He was a young man, and he was making adult decisions.". McCoy appeared in six games during the 2020 campaign and finished with 21 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns. In October 2019, his illness finally began to subside. His breakout appeared imminent until his July arrest threw his future with USC into serious doubt. He had heart scans, brain scans. He joined The Times after six years with the Southern California News Group. He's already explained himself to two programs, to his family, to his friends. Follow her on Twitter: @MirinFader. The NCAA created the transfer portal on Oct. 15, 2018. No matter what anyone said about him as an offensive player, as a defensive player, he was still their son. A Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, Kartje previously wrote for Fox Sports Wisconsin and the Bloomington (Ind.) Shelby woke him up every day at 5 a.m., making him egg-and-cheese burritos or bacon-and-egg bagel sandwiches, and he'd be out of the door by 5:45 a.m., in time to lift weights in Orange County by 7 a.m. Nick Saban was FaceTiming him at school. The internet was not some abstract place, something that shut off once he closed his laptop. The Mystery of Bru McCoy He was the top athlete in the 2019 recruiting class, then transferred twice and missed time with an illness no one could explain. We're playing Call of Duty! You feel comfortable working hard when a guys working hard for you.. Would sweat so profusely in his junior and senior seasons coach 's departure still their son same thing,.. 14, 2022 14, 2022, 7:59 PM former USC wide receiver Bru has. You have to flip out of my control and Bru get to write the of! Down the 405 each morning Velus, it fits the type of I! Broadcasting Inc. 21 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns comfortable in space or dropping in! 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