As No. 10/11 Tennessee football prepares to face UTEP this Saturday in their final home game of the season, the Vols are set to honor their seniors who have played a pivotal role in revitalizing the program. With a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Neyland Stadium, the team looks to cap off a perfect regular-season home record, marking another milestone in Tennessee’s resurgence.
Among those sharing their thoughts ahead of Senior Day are redshirt senior wide receiver Bru McCoy and senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas, two cornerstone players who have witnessed and contributed to Tennessee’s transformation.
For McCoy, a Southern California native, his time in Knoxville has been a journey of personal and professional growth. Reflecting on his three years with the Vols, McCoy expressed how much the program and the city have come to mean to him.
“These last three years have been instrumental in my development as a young man and maturity,” McCoy shared. “I’ve found a home here. I’ve made a lot of great relationships… I’m a kid from southern California, and now whenever someone asks, ‘When are you going home?’ I talk about Knoxville. It’s a very special place to me.”
Thomas, a Memphis native and a staple of the Vols’ defense since 2020, has appeared in 58 career games, more than any other position player on the current roster. He spoke about the pride he feels in helping bring Tennessee football back to national prominence.
“It’s amazing to be a part of something like this because you get a chance to be a part of the change,” Thomas said. “I knew when I picked this school that I wanted to be a part of something heading in the right direction. Tennessee was everything I wanted. We’re just continuing to grow, and that’s where we want to go—building a good program with good people and good culture.”
With Senior Day set to be an emotional pregame celebration, the Vols aim to honor the seniors who have helped transform Tennessee into a top-tier program. Can they complete their undefeated home campaign and continue their march toward national success?
