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Jacob Copeland (born July 20, 1999) is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Florida and Maryland.[1]

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 seven yards (his only target).[18]

Combine

On January 3, 2023, Copeland accepted an invitation to the NFL Combine along with fellow Maryland players Deonte Banks, Dontay Demus Jr., Jakorian Bennett, Rakim Jarrett, Jaelyn Duncan and Chad Ryland.[19][20]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench 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 s 1.51 s 2.56 s 4.47 s 7.01 s 33.0 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.[28] Copeland was re-signed to the practice squad on November 28, but released a week later.[29][30]

Kansas City Chiefs

On January 10, 2024, Copeland signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.[31]

References

  1. ^ Sammon, Will (September 10, 2019). "How Jacob Copeland has patiently prepared for increased opportunities at Florida". The Athletic. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ Murphy, Tonja (February 16, 2018). "That signing day mom did at least 1 thing right - and we should pay attention". Clarion Ledger. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  4. ^ "Jacob Copeland, Maryland Terrapins, Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Achatz, Brian (February 7, 2018). "Escambia's Jacob Copeland signs with Florida". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  6. ^ Hall, Graham (October 21, 2019). "Copeland growing as Gators target". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  7. ^ Abolverdi, Zach (July 19, 2021). "Why did Jacob Copeland get the Gators' sought-after No. 1 jersey?". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  8. ^ McFadden, Ryan (April 19, 2022). "Maryland football transfer Jacob Copeland is learning to fit into an already talented wide receivers room". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  9. ^ Festo, Alan (August 15, 2021). "Much expected from Gators' new No.1". The News-Press. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  10. ^ "Jacob Copeland - Football". Florida Gators Athletics. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Sallee, Barrett (December 9, 2021). "Florida WR Jacob Copeland enters transfer portal following strong season as Gators' top pass-catcher". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Rosenberg, David (December 24, 2021). "Receiver Jacob Copeland transfers to Maryland from Florida". Gatorswire. USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  13. ^ "Jacob Copeland - Football". University of Maryland Athletics. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  14. ^ Gerbo, George (December 1, 2022). "Opt-outs and transfers hit Maryland hard ahead of bowl announcement". The Washington Times. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Dickson, Ben (December 28, 2022). "MM 12.28: Maryland football wide receiver Jacob Copeland to play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl". Testudo Times. SB Nation. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  16. ^ Pauline, Tony (January 31, 2023). "Monday 2023 Shrine Bowl Risers: Kei'Trel Clark and Arquon Bush Continue To Impress". profootballnetwork.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  17. ^ Flick, Daniel (February 1, 2023). "Falcons Shrine Bowl Day 4 Recap: Risers, Fallers & Notes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "East vs. West - College Football box score". espn.com.
  19. ^ Iacovacci, Jonathan (January 3, 2023). "MM 1.3: Multiple Terps invited to 2023 NFL Scouting Combine". Tesudo Times. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  20. ^ Ermann, Jeff (January 27, 2023). "Maryland football receives most NFL Draft Combine invites since 1987". 247sports.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  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. ^ Chodes, Andrew (April 29, 2023). "Jacob Copeland signs with Tennessee Titans as undrafted free agent". Testudo Times. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  24. ^ Melo, Justin (August 2, 2023). "Titans sign C Jimmy Murray, waive WR Jacob Copeland". Music City Miracles. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  25. ^ Peters, Craig (August 7, 2023). "Vikings Sign Receiver Jacob Copeland". Vikings.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  26. ^ Peters, Craig (August 29, 2023). "Vikings Set Initial 53-Man Roster for 2023". Vikings.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  27. ^ Varley, Teresa (September 12, 2023). "Steelers make roster moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  28. ^ Varley, Teresa (October 3, 2023). "Steelers make practice squad moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  29. ^ Varley, Teresa (November 28, 2023). "Steelers make practice squad moves". Steelers.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  30. ^ Varley, Teresa (December 4, 2023). "Steelers sign McSorley to practice squad". Steelers.com. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  31. ^ Sapp, Jared (January 11, 2024). "Chiefs sign 4 free agents to Reserve/Future contracts". Arrowhead Pride. SB Nation. Retrieved February 14, 2024.

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Copeland