Florida Gators making Jacob Copeland a priority

The Florida Gators welcomed several top recruits to Gainesville this weekend for Friday Night Lights. Among those players was the No. 9 ranked wide receiver in the 2018 class, Jacob Copeland (6-0, 192, Pensacola, FL. Escambia).

Copeland did not compete on Friday, but he got a chance to watch and experience the new atmosphere that Jim McElwain and his staff have brought to the event over the last two years. He was happy to be able to relax on a visit instead of work out.

“Feels good just to come back here and enjoy the time,” said Copeland. “Just chill, relax and not really have to compete or nothing, but just being here.”

Copeland has already made several visits to Florida, and something just keeps bringing him back to The Swamp.

“I always come back because this feels like home to me,” he said. “Since they’ve been recruiting me, they’ve always made me a priority there. I feel like it’s a good deal for me to be back and just enjoy my time, just enjoy the recruiting process.”

He has become a huge priority for Florida, as it will most likely be looking for a replacement for star receiver Antonio Callaway in the coming year. McElwain wants Copeland to be that guy, and has become a huge part of his recruiting process. McElwain’s involvement throughout the process has made Florida stand out to him.

“It makes me feel great, because he’s the head coach,” Copeland said. “Usually the head coach doesn’t get too much into recruiting, but just knowing that he’s the head coach, showing that he cares and wants me really that much and makes me a priority. That makes me feel good.”

Copeland has built an even stronger relationship with wide receivers coach Kerry Dixon.

“Coach Dixon’s like a father figure to me,” he said. “We always talk. Like it ain’t even always about football. We just talk. He calls me all the time just to talk. That’s a good thing.”
While Copeland has been indecisive throughout his recruiting process, Florida is constantly in the mix and continues to feel like a place he could call home. With official visits coming up within the next year, he plans to take all of them during the season, and he knows where at least one of them is going to be.

“Oh yeah, Florida is gonna get one.”

Bailiegh Carlton
A lifelong sports fan, Bailiegh Carlton knew from a young age that she wanted to work in sports in some capacity. Before transferring to the University of Florida to study journalism, she played softball at Gulf Coast State College. She then interned for Gator Country for three years as she worked toward her degree. After graduation, Bailiegh decided to explore other opportunities in the world of sports, but all roads led her right back here. In her time away, she and her husband welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. When she isn't working, she can almost always be found snuggled up with sweet baby Ridley, Cody and her four fur babies.