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Tennessee football’s top five options to replace JaVonta Payton

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) celebrates a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football
Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton (3) celebrates a touchdown during a NCAA football game against Tennessee Tech at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.Kns Tennessee Tenn Tech Football /
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Nov 7, 2020; Los Angeles CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) celebrates after catching a deflected pass for a 26-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Arizona State 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Los Angeles CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Bru McCoy (4) celebrates after catching a deflected pass for a 26-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Arizona State 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Bru McCoy. 1. player. Scouting Report. 839. Pick Analysis. 6'3 220 lbs. Redshirt junior

Josh Heupel targeted Bru McCoy, who transferred to Tennessee football from the USC Trojans, for a reason. Will he finally live up to the hype?

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Yes, Bru McCoy has transferred twice now after leaving the Texas Longhorns in 2019. He also did have an off-the-field issue last year that kept him, well, off-the-field for 2021. All of those things are concerning. However, his potential with Tennessee football is still too great to overlook.

Heupel took McCoy for a reason. The guy was a five-star across the board as a recruit. In his one year playing, 2020, he 21 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns. That all came despite him being a backup receiver and the season being shortened due to COVID that year. As a result, his potential is clearly through the roof.

Throughout the offseason, Heupel targeted transfers to fill direct needs, and McCoy does just that. He’s a wideout who could easily become the go-to guy for the Vols once Cedric Tillman leaves, and indeed, he’s probably the favorite to do just that. As a result, he’s the favorite to replace JaVonta Payton as the No. 2 wideout this year.

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McCoy may not have the profile of Payton, as he’s more of a big target, similar to Tillman and even Ramel Keyton. However, he’s still a great fit for Tennessee football’s offense and Heupel’s system, so he’s got a great chance to break out into a star before Tillman even leaves.

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