It was always LSU senior fullback J.C. Copeland’s dream to play for his home team at the University of Georgia.
Copaland said Mark Richt and the rest of the UGA coaches thought he wasn’t tall enough to be a Bulldog and his dream was short lived.
“You want to play for the home team,” Copeland said. “It’s my state, and I love Georgia to death. I love everything it stands for. I wouldn’t say I hate the team, but I hate the missed opportunity I had to play for them.”
Now, Copeland is bulldozing a hole for LSU’s stable of running backs, and he’s ready to return to his home state to prove he wasn’t tall enough.
Copeland, along with senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger, sophomore offensive tackle Vadal Alexander freshman quarterback Anthony Jennings and junior wide receiver Quantavius Leslie, return to the Peach State to take on Georgia for the first time in their young careers.
“I’m excited to play,” Alexander said. “It doesn’t mean anything different, it’s just exciting to me. … It’s an exciting environment. I’ve been to a game in that environment, and it’s nothing we can’t handle.”
Bye Bye Beard
Monday marked the first time members of the media got a glimpse of Copeland sans beard.
Copeland shaved off his trademark facial hair prior to the Auburn game on Saturday for what he described as personal reasons. Copeland said he shaves his beard when he wants a fresh start.
Senior safety Craig Loston also entered player interviews Monday sporting a new look that he described as a “palm tree.”
The hairdo featured Loston pinning his dreadlocks straight up in a type of bush. He wore the look with a smile as interviewers took pictures of his new style.
Hill named SEC Offensive Player of the Week
LSU sophomore running back Jeremy Hill busted out Saturday for a career-high 184 yards and three touchdowns, earning him player of the week honors in the Southeastern Conference.
But the award isn’t just for Hill. Alexander said the offensive line takes as much pride in the award as Hill does.
“We’re the unsung guys, so whoever gets the award hopefully that means we played good enough for them to get that award,” Alexander said. “I’m so proud of Jeremy. I love playing with the guy.”