Florida Gators in Copeland’s top two after visit

The 2018 class in the state of Florida is absolutely loaded and that is a huge plus for the Florida Gators coaching staff heading into next year.

On Saturday the Gators hosted one of those top 2018 players when receiver Jacob Copeland (6-1, 188, Pensacola, FL. Pine Forest) was in Gainesville.

“I already knew what time it was when I got here, they came out and it was Gator land,” Copeland said. “They took an L last week at Arkansas and I knew Coach Mac wasn’t going to take another L this week. They came out and played. It’s Florida and they came out.”

Copeland says that he has noticed that the offense has struggled at times but he sees things changing in the future.

“There is a lot players still young at running back and receiver,” he said of Florida’s offense. “I see them getting it going and getting a natty [national championship] soon. I know that Felipe Franks was a good player in high school.”

The 2018 receiver not only noticed the youth at receiver but noticed that those guys were playing a lot and it gave Copeland a glimpse into the future.

“Just by seeing those guys out there, I can see myself out there,” Copeland said of seeing the young receivers playing. “I could see myself playing out there if I come in and work hard just like they did. They came early and worked hard and got early playing time.”

Receivers coach Kerry Dixon has been one of the main recruiters of Copeland and he shared a message with him on Saturday.

“Coach Dixon knows that I can ball,” he said. “Coach Dixon says that he needs guys like me to come ball in the Swamp for him. They need more playmakers like me in the Swamp.”

Dixon isn’t the only coach recruiting Copeland to Florida as head coach Jim McElwain is working the receiver daily.

“It’s really all of the coaches talking to me but mainly Coach Dixon and Coach Mac,” Copeland said. “I talk to Coach Mac everyday, there isn’t a day that goes by that Coach Mac doesn’t hit my line either a message or something. We talk every day and he tells me every day to keep balling out.”

The Gators have been the school on Copeland the longest and now they’re squarely in the mix with another school.

“Florida is in my top two with Clemson,” he said. “Florida was a dream school of mine and they pass the ball a lot makes me keep coming back and makes me interested.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Copeland said he would like to make a decision on July 19th before his senior year. The Gators have made Copeland a priority since last year and that continues to be the case now.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.