Horace McCoy III received the nickname "Bruiser", from his grandmother when he was eight months old; the nickname was later shortened to "Bru".[1][2] His parents were athletes at Northern Illinois University; his father, Horace II, played college football, and his mother, Shelby, played volleyball.[3] He has two sisters, Alexa and Ava.[4]
A five star recruit out of high school, 247Sports.com ranked him the ninth-best recruit in the class of 2019.[4] McCoy committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play for the USC Trojans.[9] He graduated early from Mater Dei and enrolled at USC in January 2019. After 17 days, he opted to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin, as he felt betrayed by Kliff Kingsbury, the Trojans' offensive coordinator, leaving USC to be the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.[4][10][11] He participated in spring practice with the Texas Longhorns, before he decided to leave Texas.[12] He transferred back to USC in June.[13] He missed several months of the 2019 season due to symptoms that were never diagnosed, and took a redshirt for the season.[14][15] McCoy made his college football debut for the Trojans in the 2020 season.[16] He caught 21 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns.[17]
After a July 2021 arrest for alleged domestic violence, McCoy was suspended indefinitely from the football team. Citing privacy regulations, former USC coach Clay Helton was not forthcoming with more information with the media.[18] Despite all charges being dropped for a lack of evidence, USC did not reinstate McCoy.[19]
University of Tennessee
In May 2022, McCoy announced his transfer to the University of Tennessee to play for the Tennessee Volunteers football team.[19] For the 2022 season, McCoy recorded 52 receptions for 667 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He had three games over the 100-yard mark in the Volunteers 11–2 season.[20][21] Tennessee defeated Clemson in the 2022 Orange Bowl 31–14.
In the 2023 season, McCoy recorded 17 receptions for 217 yards and one touchdown in five games.[22] He suffered a season-ending displaced fracture of his right ankle against South Carolina on September 30.[23][24]
In 2024, McCoy returned with lean muscle weighing in at 215 lbs. He led the Volunteers with a total of 35 receptions and made his 100th reception of his career against Georgia.[25] McCoy shone in the game against UTEP scoring two touchdowns.[26] This brought his NFL draft projection up to 92nd.[27]
McCoy captained the Chattanooga game,[28] against Alabama,[29] against Georgia,[30] against UTEP,
[31] and in the playoff loss against Ohio State.[32] Moreover, in McCoy is recognized as a Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist,[33] SEC Community Service Team,[34]
is on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List,[35] 2024 AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, 2024 Comeback Player of the Year Semifinalist,[36] 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl.[37][38][39] His next step is the NFL Combine.[40][41][42][43]
Off the Field
McCoy makes a dedicated effort for his community. He works with Huddle for Hearts in collaboration with The Peyton Walker Foundation.[44][45]
While preparing for the season McCoy and NILConnection put together a golf tournament for the fans.[46] McCoy has worked with several businesses. McCoy and a Knoxville local spot Moonshine Mountain Cookies brought the Cookie Monster for back for a second season in 2024. [47][48] In 2024, McCoy also collaborated with a local auto body shop,[49] had a drink named after him, [50] and worked with a commercial roofer.[51]
