When Jacob Copeland, the No. 5 wide receiver in the country, picked Florida over Alabama and Tennessee on Wednesday, his mother got up from the table and walked away.

A 4-star recruit from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Fla., Copeland laid out Alabama, Florida and Tennessee hats on a table before picking up and putting on the Florida hat on ESPN.

Copeland’s mother, who was wearing a Tennessee hat and an Alabama sweatshirt, was clearly surprised when Copeland announced his decision. She gave a disapproving look before grabbing her purse and walking off camera.

When asked by ESPN why his mother would walk out on his decision, Copeland said, “I don’t know.”

Copeland’s mother later returned.

ajc.com

Credit: FootballScoop Staff/ Twitter

icon to expand image

Credit: FootballScoop Staff/ Twitter

About the Author

Keep Reading

Jackson State players celebrate victory over South Carolina State in the 2024 Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Tigers are once again in contention for a spot in the bowl game. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2024)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC