Jacob Copeland

Jacob Copeland (born July 20, 1999) is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for Florida and Maryland.[1]

Jacob Copeland
refer to caption
Copeland in 2022
Personal information
Born: (1999-07-20) July 20, 1999
Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Escambia (FL)
College:Florida (2019–2021)
Maryland (2022)
Position:Wide receiver
Undrafted:2023
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life

Copeland was raised in Pensacola, Florida, by his mother, Betty Copeland.[2] His father, Darrick Bennett, was absent from his life as he spent periods in prison and died when Copeland was aged 13.[2] Copeland's childhood home was in a crime-ridden neighborhood where he would witness robberies and shootings.[2] In one incident when Copeland was aged eight, his half-brother was shot three times in the front yard but survived.[2]

Copeland began playing youth football aged six.[2] When he was 12, he moved into the home of his coach, Trampas Miller, after the Miller family expressed concern about Copeland's living conditions.[2] Copeland credits the Miller family for saving his life.[2]

Copeland attended Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida and came out as a four-star recruit.[3] He committed to the University of Florida on February 7, 2018,[4] during a nationally televised press conference that went viral because his mother walked out after Copeland made his selection.[2][5] Betty Copeland, who was raised in Alabama, claims that she walked out because she wanted him to choose her hometown team at the University of Alabama and he changed his mind without telling her.[2] It has been wrongly speculated that her disapproval was because of gang relations that Copeland maintained in Florida which has been vehemently denied by Copeland and his family.[2]

College career

Copeland went to both University of Florida[6][7] and University of Maryland, College Park.[8]

Florida

During his freshman year at Florida, Copeland was redshirted, only appearing in three games. He had a kick return for 26 yards and a pass reception for 16 yards. During the 2019 season, he had 21 catches for 273 yards (21.0 ypg) with two touchdowns on offense and special teams, playing in all 13 games. Additionally, he averaged 28 yards rushing (his long 15), along with his first tackle. As a sophomore in 2020, he played in 11 of 12 games, with 23 receptions for 435 yards (18.9 avg) and three touchdowns.[9] In the 2021 season, Copeland appeared in all games (11 starts), with 38 receptions for 607 yards and four touchdowns.[10] After the Bowl Game against UCF, he entered the transfer portal.[11]

Maryland

On December 24, 2021, Copeland announced he was transferring to the University of Maryland, College Park.[12] During his junior year, he had 422 yards and three touchdowns. Against Indiana, Copeland led the Terps with 62 receiving yards on four receptions.[13] On December 2, 2022, Copeland announced that he would be skipping the Bowl and his senior year to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.[14]

Professional career

East-West Shrine Bowl

Copeland originally planned to go to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl with former teammate Durell Nchami.[15] He instead got moved to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl. There he shined on the third day of practice.[16] He further showed his catch ability the following day in practice.[17] During the game Copeland caught one pass for 7 yards (his only target).[18]

Combine

On January 3, Copeland accepted an invitation to the NFL Combine along with fellow Maryland players Dontay Demus Jr., Jakorian Bennett, and Chad Ryland.[19][20]

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11+1⁄4 in
(1.81 m)		 201 lb
(91 kg)		 31+5⁄8 in
(0.80 m)		 8+5⁄8 in
(0.22 m)		4.42 s1.51 s2.56 s4.47 s7.01 s33.0 in
(0.84 m)		10 ft 7 in
(3.23 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[21][22]

Tennessee Titans

On April 29, 2023, Copeland signed with the Tennessee Titans as a undrafted free agent.[23] He was waived on August 2.[24]

Minnesota Vikings

On August 7, 2023, Copeland signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[25] He was waived on August 29, 2023.[26]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 12, 2023, Copeland signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.[27] He was released from the practice squad on October 3, 2023.[28]

References
  1. Will Sammon (10 September 2019). "How Jacob Copeland has patiently prepared for increased opportunities at Florida". The Athletic. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  2. Shankar, Varun (September 16, 2022). "Loss shaped Jacob Copeland. The lessons he learned from it drive him forward". The Diamondback. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  3. Tonja Murphy (16 February 2018). "That signing day mom did at least 1 thing right - and we should pay attention". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  4. "Jacob Copeland". 247sports.com.
  5. Achatz, Brian (February 7, 2018). "Escambia's Jacob Copeland signs with Florida". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  6. Graham Hall (21 October 2019). "Copeland growing as Gators target". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  7. Zach Abolverdi (19 July 2021). "Why did Jacob Copeland get the Gators' sought-after No. 1 jersey?". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  8. Ryan McFadden (19 April 2022). "Maryland football transfer Jacob Copeland is learning to fit into an already talented wide receivers room". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  9. Alan Festo (15 August 2021). "Much expected from Gators' new No.1". The News-Press. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  10. "Jacob Copeland". floridagators.com.
  11. Barrett Sallee (9 December 2021). "Florida WR Jacob Copeland enters transfer portal following strong season as Gators' top pass-catcher". CBS Sports. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  12. David Rosenberg (24 December 2021). "Receiver Jacob Copeland transfers to Maryland from Florida". Gatorswire. USA Today. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  13. "Jacob Copeland - Football - University of Maryland Athletics". umterps.com. University of Maryland. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  14. George Gerbo (1 December 2022). "Opt-outs and transfers hit Maryland hard ahead of bowl announcement". The Washington Times. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  15. Ben Dickson (28 December 2022). "MM 12.28: Maryland football wide receiver Jacob Copeland to play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". Testudo Times. SB Nation. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  16. Tony Pauline (31 January 2023). "Monday 2023 Shrine Bowl Risers: Kei'Trel Clark and Arquon Bush Continue To Impress". profootballnetwork.com. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  17. "Falcons Shrine Bowl Day 4 Recap: Risers, Fallers & Notes from Las Vegas". www.si.com.
  18. "East vs. West - College Football box score". espn.com.
  19. "MM 1.3: Multiple Terps invited to 2023 NFL Scouting Combine". www.tesudotimes.com. 3 January 2023.
  20. "Maryland football receives most NFL Draft Combine invites since 1987". 247sports.com.
  21. "Jacob Copeland Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  22. "2023 NFL Draft Scout Jacob Copeland College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  23. AndrewChodes (2023-04-29). "Jacob Copeland signs with Tennessee Titans as undrafted free agent". Testudo Times. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  24. Melo, Justin (2023-08-02). "Titans sign C Jimmy Murray, waive WR Jacob Copeland". Music City Miracles. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  25. "Vikings Sign Receiver Jacob Copeland". Vikings.com. August 7, 2023.
  26. Peters, Craig (August 29, 2023). "Vikings Set Initial 53-Man Roster for 2023". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  27. "Steelers make roster moves". Steelers.com. September 12, 2023.
  28. "Steelers make practice squad moves". Steelers.com. October 3, 2023.
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