22 Days Until National Signing Day / Feb. 3, 2010
Copeland likes FAU feel
Georgia linebacker Michael Copeland says he committed to FAU to be part of a program that is heading in the right direction.
Originally published on
1/12/2010
by
Chuck King
Michael Copeland didn’t come to Boca Raton with the intention of committing to play for Florida Atlantic.
But by the time the 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker from Lowndes County (Ga.) emerged from Sunday’s 9 a.m. meeting with FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger, Copeland made what he considered to be an easy decision.
“We talked for a little bit and the next thing I know I was shaking hand and committing,” Copeland said.
For Copeland, the meeting wasn’t as much of a sales pitch as it was a reinforcement of the positive experiences he’d enjoyed during his recruiting weekend. He pointed to the camaraderie the players seemed to have, his enjoyment of the campus, and the feeling that the program was about to make a big leap forward.
Copeland chose FAU primarily over Florida International, whose spring game he attended, Indiana, UAB, and Middle Tennessee. He also has a scheduled visit to Tennessee during the final recruiting weekend.
“I just a got a better feel from Florida Atlantic,” said Copeland, whose host during the weekend was injured running back Jeff Blanchard. “I just feel like the FIU program was not where the FAU program is heading. Everything is new. Everything is getting built. Why not be a part of that?”
A strong and weak side linebacker who boasts 4.6 speed, Copeland was an All-Region selection and was honorable mention for All-State in Georgia. This season’s totals of 62 tackles, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries were down from last season’s totals, but Copeland says his reputation may have preceded him.
“Sometimes I talked with the head coach after game and he was like, yeah I was trying to keep it away from you,” Copeland said.
Recruiting coordinator/defensive coordinator Kurt Van Valkenburgh and newly promoted wide receivers coach Jared Allen paid Copeland a visit early last week to ensure he would make the recruiting visit
Once in Boca Raton, Copeland said the campus, and the facilities, sold itself.
“It did kind of wow me,” he said.