Hailing from Oklahoma City, OK, defensive tackle, Gerald McCoy was a five-star recruit out his hometown Southeast High School. McCoy ditched many prestigious football schools like USC, University of Miami, Norte Dame, Virginia Tech, and more before committing to the University of Oklahoma in 2006. After redshirting his freshman year, McCoy played three seasons with the Sooners. In his junior year he was named Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year with career numbers of 51 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
The imposing 6'4, 300lb defensive lineman was drafted 3rd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCoy logged nine seasons with the Bucs, where he was named a 6x Pro Bowler and 3x First-Team All-Pro recipient while with the team. Out the gate, the Bucs offered McCoy a five-year $55 million contract with $20.8 million guaranteed. In 2014, McCoy signed a seven-year $95.2 million extension that was terminated earlier this year. McCoy then took his talents to the Carolina Panthers for a one-year $9 million contract. This season his sacked his ex-teammate, Jamies Winston 2.5 times.