Tennessee Vols fans have one person to thank for former five-star wide receiver Bru McCoy landing in Knoxville.

And it's not a member of the coaching staff.

Instead, it's a player who told the staff that they should take a look at McCoy.

Vols head coach Josh Heupel said during Vol Calls on Monday night that kicker Chase McGrath told the Tennessee coaching staff about McCoy.

McGrath played at USC with McCoy before transferring to UT.

"Chase McGrath is someone who was close to him at the previous place and mentioned it to our coaches," said Heupel during Vol Calls. "Obviously his name being in the portal, we were able to make contact with him. Able to do some research on his journey and who he was. Got to know him during the recruiting process."

"I think Chase’s experience out here was a huge part of Bru’s initial interest," added Heupel. "Obviously what we were doing offensively, too. But he had somebody that he knew and trusted and has been having a great experience here.”

Not only is it a cool story that Tennessee's kicker is largely responsible for McCoy coming to UT, but it's also another sign that the Vols' culture is in a good place under Heupel.

It says a lot that players feel comfortable going to Heupel and the coaches on staff to toss around ideas. Players have said that Heupel's door is always open and this story is evidence of that.

McCoy, by the way, was ruled eligible by the NCAA this past week and he'll play on Thursday night in the season opener against Ball State.

And not only will he play, but he'll see the field a lot.

"You will see a bunch of Bru running around out there and hope he’s in open space and we’re throwing and catching it really well," said Heupel to a Vols Calls caller.

If McCoy reaches the checkerboards on Thursday night, Vol fans need to remember to thank McGrath. Not just for the extra point, but for the touchdown, too.

Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK