By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Get ready to see a whole lot more of Jacob Copeland.

There is a spotlight on Florida’s playmakers this pre-season as the Gators will be without a first-round tight end in Kyle Pitts, who won both the Mackey and Biletnikoff Awards and was just the highest player ever drafted at his position, and Kadarius Toney, who just had the most yards in a single season at the program in nearly 20 years. While Florida might not have anyone who had more than 500 receiving yards a year ago, the Gators do have a go-to number one receiver. He is ready for a banner season. His big-play ability was just on clear display.

Get ready to see a whole lot more of Jacob Copeland.

A former Under Armour All-American, Copeland was quietly one of college football’s top big play receivers a year ago. He was one of just 15 players in the game with more than 20 receptions to average over 18.5 yards per catch. Copeland caught touchdown passes against Arkansas, Tennesse and LSU. With five receptions for 123 yards and a score, Copeland made a national introduction against the Tigers. His 19-yard second quarter touchdown was one of the highlights of the night in a Florida-LSU contest that proved to be one of the most exciting games of the year.

Expect more of the same.

Over the past three seasons in the SEC, just one dozen other players, in addition to Copeland, have caught more than 20 passes and averaged at least 18.5 yards per reception: Marquez Callaway, Ja’Marr Chase, Emanuel Hall, Jerry Jeudy, D.K. Metcalf, Henry Ruggs III, Darius Slayton, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle twice, Seth Williams, Mike Woods and Kenny Yeboah. Copeland did it as a backup. Every player on the list who has finished their college career either was or is in the NFL. Five of them were first round draft picks.

During the last four games of Florida’s regular season, Copeland caught 16 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. He enters this fall as the number one option for quarterback Emory Jones and the Gators. He also enters the season with the number one on his jersey, making the switch and following a number of program greats, Toney included, with the move. Copeland is ready to become a national name.

It would make sense for Copeland to be a standout playmaker for Florida. The Pensacola-native played his high school football at Escambia on the Panhandle, the same program as Gator superstar Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

Along with the talented Jones and others, Copeland is poised to help lead the Gators offensively. A showcase season is coming.