BREAKING: Baylor gets late addition to 2018 class in JUCO LB Copeland

A guy that is that fast and is 225 lb. is a freak. I am glad he is a Bear.

We need some LB/S so this is good to see. We also need guys with experience.

Let's hope he's smart enough to figure out Snow's defense in a hurry.

chorne68 said:

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A guy that is that fast and is 225 lb. is a freak. I am glad he is a Bear.

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How fast?

How did we have a 2018 spot to offer. Did someone leave or did we have an unfilled spot leftover?

I like his closing speed. Is he a Jr. eligible...2 to play 2?

bexar country said:

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I like his closing speed. Is he a Jr. eligible...2 to play 2?

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I believe he graduated HS in 2017 and played one year at Navarro JUCO, plus he wasn't a non-qualifier due to grades or anything, so he has 4 to play 3. I also think getting him on campus in the summer means he's technically part of the 2018 class.

This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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Supposedly he ran in the upper 4.3s more than once at one of our camps with the coaching staff watching. Even if that's being generous, the dude can still run incredibly fast for someone over 6ft1 and 220lbs. From what I can tell he has measurables for days, his main issue seems to be staying healthy enough to be on the field (don't know the nature of his past injuries either, which could turn out to be an issue). I'm pretty excited about this one, he could be like an upgraded version of Eddie Lackey for us, and we desperately need some help with the LB unit.

Hope he works out, Bears REALLY need some help, but you don't see anything odd about a player who is 6'2" 225 lbs and supposedly running a sub 4.4 forty still unsigned as of late June ? I know players slip through the cracks all the time, but not usually one with these measurables and having played in JC . He has had the exposure necessary for coaches to know all about him. There has to be more to this story.

BEAR 45 said:

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Hope he works out, Bears REALLY need some help, but you don't see anything odd about a player who is 6'2" 225 lbs and supposedly running a sub 4.4 forty still unsigned as of late June ? I know players slip through the cracks all the time, but not usually one with these measurables and having played in JC . He has had the exposure necessary for coaches to know all about him. There has to be more to this story.

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It's definitely an odd recruitment from my perspective. I am far from being an expert in this field, but in this case I think he was just sort of a position-less 'tweener with an injury history coming out of HS. Not big enough at the time in recruiter's eyes to be a P5 LB, but too big and maybe not fast enough to be a P5 Safety either despite his 40 times lately, plus I don't think he played LB until his Senior season after being a S/WR before that point. He was able to get some decent gametape at Navarro (current home of former Baylor coach Jim Gush), where he still wasn't able to play a complete season I don't think so that's a concern to watch out for, but wasn't able to show his measurables to coaches in person until the spring and summer camps, which was too late to join most 2018 classes. I've heard he had legit interest from K-State and TCU, but they were more interested in him as a 2019 prospect I think and our main selling point to him was to take him in 2018. I could be totally off base here so someone on staff should feel free to set the record straight.

How many linebackers and safeties are we planning to have on this team?

BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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It's not so odd if he is a 2017 HS grad. A juco player in good standing can leave after one year. If BU or anyone else offers him a scholarship, he can accept or go back to juco for another year. He should have 4 to play 3 in this case. Which would you choose, Baylor or Navarro?

Unless the rules have changed, a JUCO cannot transfer until after their second year. They may redshirt and still retain three years of elgibility

BEAR 45 said:

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Unless the rules have changed, a JUCO cannot transfer until after their second year. They may redshirt and still retain three years of elgibility

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He's enrolling in summer with eligibility to play this coming year. No idea on juco rules but that is what he will be doing.

Like I said earlier, this is really strange ! The only exception on transferring after one year is if a player first attends a different college/university and then transfers to a JUCO, but this still takes two years. Cam Newton did this at Blinn, before going to Auburn. Hope this kid turns out that good !

BEAR 45 said:

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Unless the rules have changed, a JUCO cannot transfer until after their second year. They may redshirt and still retain three years of elgibility

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That only applies to players who ended up at JUCO as a result of non-qualification, usually due to grades, which would be the vast majority of JUCO players. This case is a rare one of a player who had good enough grades but still went to JUCO, so he isn't subject to the normal rules that we think of as applying to JUCO guys. Since he is "in good standing" academics-wise, he is free to transfer without penalty to any school willing to find room and take him.

http://www.navarrocollege.edu/athletics/football/roster/

The 2017 Navarro College Football Roster has him listed as a Freshman. He is from Southlake Carroll which makes him a class mate of Henry Klinge and Ryan Miller.


#40 - Jacob Copeland
Position: LB
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205
Class: Fr.
School: SL Carroll HS

HuMcK said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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... he could be like an upgraded version of Eddie Lackey for us, and we desperately need some help with the LB unit.

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If he's anywhere close to Eddie Lackey, I'd like five more of him. If that's not too much to ask.

HuMcK said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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Supposedly he ran in the upper 4.3s more than once at one of our camps with the coaching staff watching. Even if that's being generous, the dude can still run incredibly fast for someone over 6ft1 and 220lbs. From what I can tell he has measurables for days, his main issue seems to be staying healthy enough to be on the field (don't know the nature of his past injuries either, which could turn out to be an issue). I'm pretty excited about this one, he could be like an upgraded version of Eddie Lackey for us, and we desperately need some help with the LB unit.

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Sounds like a hand- timed 40, and we know who those are for.

EasyE said:

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HuMcK said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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Supposedly he ran in the upper 4.3s more than once at one of our camps with the coaching staff watching. Even if that's being generous, the dude can still run incredibly fast for someone over 6ft1 and 220lbs. From what I can tell he has measurables for days, his main issue seems to be staying healthy enough to be on the field (don't know the nature of his past injuries either, which could turn out to be an issue). I'm pretty excited about this one, he could be like an upgraded version of Eddie Lackey for us, and we desperately need some help with the LB unit.

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Sounds like a hand- timed 40, and we know who those are for.

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http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/baylor/football/navarro-linebacker-commits-to-bears-eligible-this-fall/article_d72b7a02-8175-5d2f-8e4e-4a236df52304.html

Navarro linebacker commits to Bears, eligible this fall

• By JOHN WERNER jwerner@wacotrib.com

After a year at Navarro College, linebacker Jake Copeland didn't want to wait any longer to play Division I football.

Copeland made a verbal commitment to Baylor on Tuesday and plans to enroll in July and begin playing for the Bears when preseason camp opens this summer. He'll have three seasons of eligibility remaining at Baylor.

"I like the Baylor coaches and I didn't want to wait another year," Copeland said. "I'll play nickelback and linebacker. I'll be able to use my speed at safety and I'll be able to move around in Baylor's defense. They have a complex defense which I think makes it more interesting."

Copeland likes Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow's style of play and is looking forward to diving into the playbook. He's been timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which translates into good pass-rushing skills when called upon.

Copeland played under former Baylor linebackers coach Jim Gush at Navarro. Gush was defensive coordinator last year before taking over the head coaching position at the Corsicana-based junior college in January.

Though Copeland was an academic qualifier out of Southlake Carroll High School, a nagging hamstring injury put a damper on his senior year. He decided to go the junior college route to improve his skills and get more attention from Division I coaches.

"I had a real good fall and spring," Copeland said. "I thought I got a lot better last fall and had six sacks. They moved me from outside linebacker to inside linebacker in the spring."

fubar said:

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HuMcK said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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... he could be like an upgraded version of Eddie Lackey for us, and we desperately need some help with the LB unit.

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If he's anywhere close to Eddie Lackey, I'd like five more of him. If that's not too much to ask.

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5 Eddie Lackeys would make grown men cry tears of joy.

Think he's going to be a workhorse, lunch pail kid. He put the time in Juco to get ready for this level. Nice that he's a summer commit so he'll have ability to help next year to in situations.

BEAR 45 said:

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Hope he works out, Bears REALLY need some help, but you don't see anything odd about a player who is 6'2" 225 lbs and supposedly running a sub 4.4 forty still unsigned as of late June ? I know players slip through the cracks all the time, but not usually one with these measurables and having played in JC . He has had the exposure necessary for coaches to know all about him. There has to be more to this story.

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My gut is it's one of two things. He can't stay on the field or he doesn't react well.

fubar said:

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HuMcK said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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This is a rather strange signing. A junior college player waiting to sign until mid summer ? It states he was being recruited by other teams, but does not say he was offered a scholarship by any of them, which seems more than likely. I sincerely hope he has three years remaining and that would only be the case if he redshirted his first year in JC. He will need time to adjust and learn the system, which will hamper him some for this season. Decent size, but don't see anything else posted, like a 40 yd time.

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... he could be like an upgraded version of Eddie Lackey for us, and we desperately need some help with the LB unit.

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If he's anywhere close to Eddie Lackey, I'd like five more of him. If that's not too much to ask.

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No kidding, we don't need an upgrade to Eddie, if he actually were to play like Eddie that would be incredible.

Brian Ethridge said:

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tommie said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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Hope he works out, Bears REALLY need some help, but you don't see anything odd about a player who is 6'2" 225 lbs and supposedly running a sub 4.4 forty still unsigned as of late June ? I know players slip through the cracks all the time, but not usually one with these measurables and having played in JC . He has had the exposure necessary for coaches to know all about him. There has to be more to this story.

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My gut is it's one of two things. He can't stay on the field or he doesn't react well.

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Missed significant time his senior year with a hamstring injury.

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Thanks for the information, but this was during his high school year. He just completed a full season of play at Navarro and all I see is he had six sacks in a full season. Any thing else, like all conference honors ? anything ?

Brian Ethridge said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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Brian Ethridge said:

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tommie said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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Hope he works out, Bears REALLY need some help, but you don't see anything odd about a player who is 6'2" 225 lbs and supposedly running a sub 4.4 forty still unsigned as of late June ? I know players slip through the cracks all the time, but not usually one with these measurables and having played in JC . He has had the exposure necessary for coaches to know all about him. There has to be more to this story.

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My gut is it's one of two things. He can't stay on the field or he doesn't react well.

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Missed significant time his senior year with a hamstring injury.

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Thanks for the information, but this was during his high school year. He just completed a full season of play at Navarro and all I see is he had six sacks in a full season. Any thing else, like all conference honors ? anything ?

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Learning a new position. Has 4 to play 3.

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Brian Ethridge said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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Brian Ethridge said:

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tommie said:

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BEAR 45 said:

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Hope he works out, Bears REALLY need some help, but you don't see anything odd about a player who is 6'2" 225 lbs and supposedly running a sub 4.4 forty still unsigned as of late June ? I know players slip through the cracks all the time, but not usually one with these measurables and having played in JC . He has had the exposure necessary for coaches to know all about him. There has to be more to this story.

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My gut is it's one of two things. He can't stay on the field or he doesn't react well.

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Missed significant time his senior year with a hamstring injury.

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Thanks for the information, but this was during his high school year. He just completed a full season of play at Navarro and all I see is he had six sacks in a full season. Any thing else, like all conference honors ? anything ?

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Learning a new position. Has 4 to play 3.



So the answer is no, nothing

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Wrong!
*2nd team all conference at Navarro
*Was named District 7-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore at Southlake Carroll..Over his 5 Star teammate and Oklahoma S signee Robert Barnes
*Ran a 11.01 100 meters as a Freshman in HS