Receiver Jacob Copeland moves into a more prominent role in 2021 following the departure of tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Kadarius Toney. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Camp Snapshot: Gators Receiver Jacob Copeland
Sunday, August 15, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
Share:
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — He was at the end of a conga line of Gators receivers that over the past two years has spun off seven players to the NFL, most notably first-round draft picks Kadarius Toney and Kyle Pitts.
When Jacob Copeland arrived at UF in 2018 from Escambia High in Pensacola as one of the nation's top 100 recruits, you could tell a couple of things right away. No. 1, Copeland had physical gifts that matched his reputation as a dangerous playmaker. No. 2, he expected the same results with the Gators — sooner rather than later.
Not so fast, my friend.
"I didn't understand the development part of what was going on,'' Copeland said this week. "As I got older and seeing what it all took, the receivers, they come on, they catch on slowly, and they learn the process of what the game's all about."
Three years later, Copeland has finally moved to the front of that conga line.
A fourth-year junior, Copeland has played regularly throughout his career but has yet to have the kind of breakout season most expected, the first person among that group being Copeland himself.
A symbol of Copeland's stature on the 2021 team is his new jersey: No. 1. Copeland asked head coach Dan Mullen if the could switch jersey numbers after spring camp and Mullen endorsed the change, becoming the second UF offensive player under Mullen to don the digit. Toney wore it the past two seasons.
Toney and former Gators cornerback CJ Henderson both changed to No. 1 during their UF careers and ended up as first-round draft picks.
Is Copeland next?
"We'll find out. He put more pressure on himself probably than I do for him," Mullen said. "I think a lot of it to me is more: are you deserving as a whole in what you've done in your time on campus? He's an older player that has had a very positive attitude since he's been in the program and a returning starter."
Receiver Jacob Copeland hauls in a pass at practice. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications)
A CRITICAL COMPONENT: The Gators have been loaded with pass catchers the past three seasons with Toney, Pitts, Van Jefferson, Freddie Swain, Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Hammond and Trevon Grimes all moving on to the NFL following their college careers. Copeland has caught 44 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns the past two seasons as a secondary receiver. The question everyone wants to know: is he ready to become a go-to receiver? At 6-foot, 202 pounds, Copeland has a blend of speed and power that makes him an inviting target downfield or underneath coverage. "I feel like I'm one of the most physical and strongest receivers in the country,'' he said. "Not one of them. I am the strongest receiver in the country." Copeland said he has benched as much as 425 pounds but conceded that "being the strongest don't always relate to the field." Receivers coach Billy Gonzales has worked extensively with Copeland on his route running and the intricacies of playing the position beyond using your physical gifts.
THE BIG PICTURE: With a new starting quarterback and the departures of Toney, Pitts and Grimes — the trio combined for 151 catches and 31 touchdowns a season ago — the window of opportunity is wide open for Copeland and others. While Copeland is certain to take on an expanded role if healthy, receivers Justin Shorter and Trent Whittemore are in the same position. Meanwhile, underclassmen Xzavier Henderson, Daejon Reynolds, Ja'Markis Weston and Ja'Quavion Fraziars can make a statement and veteran holdovers Rick Wells and Jordan Pouncey have a chance to prove they are more than occasional targets. "Our group is young, but we're all hungry,'' Shorter said. "Everyone is out there putting in the extra work to really be that big group."
QUOTE OF NOTE: — "The older receivers always kept me motivated. We built a good relationship, good bond over the time I've been here. They taught me the game." — Copeland on his development
IN THE HUDDLE: Based on the tone in preseason camp from Copeland, Mullen and Co., expectations are high for Copeland to take that next step in his career. If there has been a knock on Copeland in his career, it's a tendency to drop catchable passes, sometimes trying to make a play before the ball is secure in his hands. Mullen stressed last week that the Gators don't have a player on the roster with the same skill-set as Toney, who led the team with 70 catches a year ago and whose quick change-of-direction ability was unique. Still, Copeland can make people miss after the catch and has the strength to pick up significant yards-after-contact. Of course, Mullen said it best when asked at SEC Media Day whether Copeland was ready to parlay the No. 1 jersey into stardom. "We'll see,'' he said. Copeland understands the correlation others have made since he took on the new number. "It's a really big privilege and I feel like I'll be accountable for everything that comes with the number,'' he said.
