Buried in the depth chart behind veterans Gault and Miller, McGee played little during the 1982 season. He quickly picked up Tennessee's offensive scheme, however, and after a strong spring practice in 1983, had worked his way into the starting rotation alongside Duncan and Taylor. He caught 19 passes for 286 yards and 2 touchdowns for the year, and returned 21 punts for 192 yards. He caught 3 passes for 70 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown, in the Vols' 37–14 loss to Auburn, and was named the team's "Offensive Player of the Game." He also caught 4 passes in Tennessee's 41–34 win over Alabama, six passes in the team's 13–10 loss to Ole Miss, and had a 78-yard touchdown catch against Vanderbilt.