CF's Copeland trending toward explosive 2021 season

Cardinals wide receiver Brandon Copeland in practice
Cardinals wide receiver Brandon Copeland in practice

The Camden Fairview Cardinals are finding a rhythm on the offensive side early into the 2021 high school football season.

The Cardinals have everything that a high-power offensive needs to succeed: a strong-armed dual-threat quarterback, a group of efficient runners, a stout offensive line led by a Big 12 commit and a healthy and productive wide receiver core.

Cardinals senior wide receiver Brandon Copeland is a big piece of the offensive puzzle for the Cardinals.

In three games so far this season, the offense for Camden Fairview is averaging 43 points per game, and Copeland has emerged as one of the most productive receivers in south Arkansas.

So far this season, Copeland has caught 16 receptions for 326 yards and two touchdowns. He is on pace to accumulate 53 receptions for 1,087 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. Last season as a role player, Copeland caught 13 receptions for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Copeland emerged as a top playmaker for Camden Fairview in game one when they traveled to take on the Arkadelphia Badgers. Copeland caught seven receptions for 139 yards and one touchdown in the 41-21 win over the Badgers.

In the following game against the El Dorado Wildcats, Copeland caught five receptions for 114 yards.

Finally, last week against the Hamburg Lions, Copeland caught four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

In the off-season, Copeland emerged as the top receiver for the high-power offense of Camden Fairview. He is a dynamic receiver that is considered a flex player as he can line up on the outside or as a slot receiver. He can beat opposing defensive backs on the outside through speed and is highly athletic through contested coverages. Copeland is also a highly effective route-runner as an outside receiver or slot receiver as he can turn sharply while separating himself from the defensive back.

After the catch, Copeland is elusive and explosive as a runner with the ball in his hands. The Cardinals will often give the ball to him through pre-designed plays such as screens. He is the favorite target of junior quarterback Martavius Thomas in three games this season.

The next receiver, in terms of receptions, is junior wide receiver Aaron Alsobrook.

When asked about which wide receiver he models his game after, Copeland chose Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver and five-time Pro-Bowler Tyreek Hill. Copeland is a player that possesses some of the same physical attributes, including height and size. He also possesses the same explosive speed in his burst and get-off at the beginning of the play. Copeland and Hill are also highly efficient in route-running, separating themselves from the opposing defensive backs and being inserted as a flex player for their offense.

Three weeks into the season, Copeland is gathering some attention for an all-conference team this season. It will not be surprising to see him starting to gather more looks from collegiate scouts and coaches to play college football.

Copeland isn't worried about these outside accomplishments right now, as he looks to help the Cardinals get into the playoffs and past the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

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