DE Copeland commits to Vols

Editor's note: J.C. Copeland's hometown has been corrected to LaGrange, Ga.

It’s safe to say J.C. Copeland appreciates the violent nature of football.

“Relentless. Pain. Fire,” Tennessee’s newest commitment said when asked to describe his game. “Trying to go kill somebody every play.”

Copeland’s sudden pledge Tuesday to play for the Vols was somewhat surprising. Many thought the 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end/linebacker from Troup County High School in La Grange, Ga., was leaning toward committing to Auburn.

Yet UT won out, partially because of its coaching staff and its NFL background — a common draw among high school prospects.

“My dream is to play in the NFL but at the same time I want to get a good education,” said Copeland. “Playing in front of 105,000 fans sounds good, too.”

Neyland Stadium’s appeal not withstanding, the abruptness of Copeland’s decision also was surprising.

“It was a hard decision I had to make,” said Copeland, who was recruited by UT coach Lance Thompson. “I was going to commit later on in the season … but my coaches got with me and told me it was the best decision I’ve got right now.”

Copeland said he is interested in a school that is close enough to his family that they can visit regularly. UT again fit the bill.

“That was very important to me,” Copeland said.

A pair of nearby schools declined to offer Copeland a scholarship: Georgia and Georgia Tech.

“They say I’m too short,” Copeland said, referring to the Bulldogs’ coaches. “That really makes me mad, but at the same time it motivates me to be a better player.”

Copeland also had scholarship offers from South Carolina, Ole Miss, South Florida, Louisville, Maryland and Duke among others.

All of those schools lacked star safety Eric Berry, who continues to help UT’s program even in the off-season.

“One thing that really made me choose them was Eric Berry,” Copeland said. “I love him to death.”

Despite his affinity for Berry, don’t expect Copeland to be star struck by college football players, especially if they’re above him on the depth chart.

“I’m happy for anybody to have success,” Copeland said. “But if you’re in my position in front of me, I’m going to try to take it. I’m going to bring it to the table.”

Copeland also declared he wouldn’t slack off just because he’s punched his UT ticket.

“Just because I committed, I’m not going to get restless like some people I know,” Copeland said. “I’m going to still play 100 percent on the field and in the classroom and do my thing, period.”

Likely a defensive end in college given his body frame, Copeland said he plans to focus on improving his pass rushing in the year before he enrolls at UT.

“Other than that,” Copeland said, “I’m going to work hard at everything else I do: my relentlessness, getting to the ball, trying to knock someone’s head off.”

Josh Ward contributed to this report. He can be heard on WNML weekdays from noon to 3 p.m.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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