Mentorship matters
Kemari Copeland, a Virginia Beach native, has been a stalwart defensive tackle for Virginia Tech, earning third‑team All‑ACC honors last season and setting his sights on a first‑team spot in 2026.
During the offseason, Copeland added roughly 300 pounds to his frame under the guidance of head coach James Franklin, a move he believes will sharpen his strength and improve his prospects for the next level.
The pivotal relationship with defensive coordinator Brent Pry, who was the sole head coach to visit Copeland while he was at Iowa Western Community College, played a decisive role in his recruitment narrative.
A calculated choice
Faced with the choice of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft or transferring elsewhere, Copeland opted to remain with the Hokies, citing the program’s commitment to his development and overall experience.
Looking ahead, he hopes to translate his enhanced physicality into on‑field dominance, aiming to anchor a defense that could contend for conference supremacy.