If you’re wondering where is Jacob Copeland now, you’re probably picturing that viral 2018 National Signing Day clip. You know the one. He picks the Florida Gators hat, and his mom, decked out in Alabama and Tennessee gear, straight-up walks off the set. It was a legendary "welcome to the SEC" moment that set the bar impossibly high for his career.
Fast forward to January 2026, and the landscape looks a lot different for the former four-star recruit. The flash of the Swamp and the Big Ten lights has faded into the gritty, often overlooked world of professional football "churn." It hasn't been a straight line to NFL stardom, honestly. It's been more like a zig-zag across North America.
The NFL Carousel and the Practice Squad Grind
Jacob Copeland's path since going undrafted out of Maryland in 2023 has been the definition of a "cup of coffee" career in the NFL. He’s got the speed—running a blistering 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the Combine—but the league is a numbers game.
He bounced from the Tennessee Titans to the Minnesota Vikings and then found a recurring home (sorta) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Between 2023 and late 2024, the Steelers signed and released him multiple times. He even spent a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs on a reserve/future deal, but in the NFL, those contracts are often written in pencil, not ink.
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By the time the 2024 season wrapped up, Copeland had yet to see a single regular-season snap in the NFL. For a guy who led Florida in receiving in 2021, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
Stepping Away from the Shield: The UFL and CFL
When the NFL door started clicking shut, Copeland did what any athlete with a "never say die" attitude does: he looked for a new league.
- The DC Defenders (UFL): In December 2024, he signed with the DC Defenders. It seemed like a perfect fit for a vertical threat. However, the professional spring league is cutthroat. He was released in March 2025 before the season really took off.
- The Edmonton Elks (CFL): He didn't stay unemployed long. By April 2025, he headed north of the border to join the Edmonton Elks. The wider Canadian field and the "waggle" motion usually favor guys with his speed. But the CFL transition is notoriously difficult for American receivers who have spent their whole lives playing on a shorter, narrower field. He was released by Edmonton in May 2025.
Where is Jacob Copeland now in 2026?
As of early 2026, Jacob Copeland is currently a free agent looking for his next opportunity in professional football.
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He hasn't officially "retired," and at only 26 years old, he still has the physical tools that scouts drool over. But the reality of the 2026 football market is that he’s competing with two fresh classes of draft picks and a wave of UFL standouts.
If you check his social media these days, he’s still putting in the work. You’ll see the training videos—shuttle drills, deep routes, and weight room sessions. He’s staying ready because, in this business, a single injury to a team’s WR4 can result in a phone call at 2:00 AM.
Why the NFL hasn't "clicked" yet
There’s a lot of armchair scouting when it comes to Copeland. Some say it was the frequent coaching changes at Florida. Others point to his transfer to Maryland, where he had to share targets with guys like Rakim Jarrett.
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Honestly? It might just be the "tweener" curse. He’s 5'11" and 200 pounds—not quite a massive "X" receiver and not strictly a shifty slot guy. In the NFL, if you aren't a starter, you have to be a special teams ace. That’s been the hurdle.
Perspective on the Journey
It’s easy to look at a guy who was a top-100 recruit and label anything less than a Pro Bowl career a failure. That’s garbage. Copeland has spent three years being paid to play a game millions would die to play. He survived the cut-down days of multiple NFL franchises and proved he belongs in the conversation.
His story is a reminder that the viral "hat ceremony" is just the beginning. The real work happens in the practice squad shadows, in the cold of Edmonton, and in the "empty" months of free agency.
What’s next for Jacob Copeland fans? Keep an eye on the UFL rosters for the upcoming spring season. With the league stabilizing and expanding its talent pool, a veteran with NFL camp experience like Copeland is a prime candidate for a "prove-it" contract. He still has that breakaway speed; he just needs the right system to let him run.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Follow the Transactions: Keep an eye on the UFL and CFL transaction wires. These leagues move fast, and players often sign and play within the same week.
- Check Social Media: Copeland is active on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. It's the best place to see his current training status and any "workout" invites he receives from pro teams.
- Support the Path: If you're a Gators or Terps fan, following his journey in the alternative leagues is a great way to stay connected to the players who made Saturday afternoons exciting.