But he snubbed both of those schools and slapped on a blue Florida cap, defying mum's wishes and going with the Gators.
Exit stage right, Copeland's mum.
Now what is she supposed to do with her Alabama and Tennessee get-up, Jacob?
"I can't go with my mum," Copeland told ESPN. "I gotta go with my heart."
It was awkward viewing and Copeland's mum copped a severe backlash on social media as many criticised her for souring her son's important day.
American sports broadcaster Dari Nowkhah was particularly harsh, calling her response "sad, shameful and disgusting" after recalling a similar moment involving former Alabama safety Landon Collins, who also defied his mum's wishes by choosing the Tide over Louisiana State University in 2015.
But to Copeland's mum's credit she came back once she'd composed herself and gave her son a long hug.
The teenager agonised over his decision, revealing how stressful the lead-up to the big announcement was.
