Copeland to play for Harding University

McCallum+ran+through+LBJ%2C+tallying+500+yards+rushing+on+46+carries%2C++Photo+by+Gracie+Ross.

Gracie Ross

McCallum ran through LBJ, tallying 500 yards rushing on 46 carries, Photo by Gracie Ross.

Julie Robertson, editor in-chief

Senior tackle Judah Copeland has committed to continue playing football at the college level with his letter of intent signed for Harding University in Arkansas.

“I started talking to them in the summer then they later offered me the same summer.” Copeland said.

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What sold him on the school was the amount of passion that the school had.

“It was 100 percent  the passions that the coaches had,” Copeland said. “It was like he [the head coach] was on fire.”

According to Copeland, the best part about getting to play at the next level is the fact that he gets to do the thing that he has dreamt about since he was 5. But, he credits a lot of his improvement over the years to the McCallum football program.

Copeland was honored at the year-end football banquet last month for being first team AP All-State and for being first team Statesman All Centex. Photo by Dave Winter.

“They gave me the most they can give to a freshman,” Copeland said. “Mac gave me the worth ethic it really takes to be successful doing anything really. Shout out to Coach G for that. That man is one of the hardest working men I have ever been around.”

Copeland said that Coach Ellis was also very influential on his path to college ball.

Copeland lines up against the Austin Maroons at House Park on Oct. 5. The Knights ran over the Maroons, 56-13, in what turned out to be the last district meeting between the two historic AISD rivals. Photo by Dave Winter.

 

“I have to give him all the glory,” Copeland said. “He took a skinny uncoordinated kid with a passion for a game we both love and turned me into the man and football player that people have come to know now, and I thank him for everything.”