Former USC wideout Bru McCoy will suit up for Tennessee this season.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Tennessee officially received word from the NCAA on Friday that McCoy’s waiver for immediate eligibility has been approved. McCoy will be able to play with the team when it opens its season next Thursday against Ball State.

The former USC receiver transferred to Tennessee this offseason after a tumultuous three years in Los Angeles. As it awaited word on his waiver, Tennessee fans placed blame on USC for the delay.

The Trojans issued a statement Sunday placing the onus squarely on the NCAA.

“USC has – consistent with NCAA rules – promptly and accurately responded to all requests from the University of Tennessee related to the eligibility of Bru McCoy,” it read. “At no point since Bru entered the transfer portal in January have we objected to him being made immediately eligible to play at Tennessee. The issue of Bru’s eligibility ultimately rests with the NCAA, and we wish him the very best.”

The former 5-star receiver signed with USC in 2019. When Kliff Kingsbury left for the NFL shortly after being named the USC offensive coordinator, McCoy transferred to Texas. He spent the spring in Austin before reversing course and deciding to transfer back to Los Angeles.

He missed all of 2019 with an undisclosed illness. In 2020, McCoy made six appearances. He was expected to play a significant role in 2021, but was suspended by USC following a felony domestic violence arrest in July. He was not charged in the incident after the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office determined it had insufficient evidence to proceed with the case.

Now that he’s cleared to play, McCoy figures to factor heavily into the Vols’ offense this fall.