Buy Or Sell The Hype? Why I'm Buying Into The Buzz Around Virginia Tech DT Kemari Copeland

Virginia Tech's defense appears to be more of a question mark than its offense. Virginia Tech's skill positions on that front include a stronger effort under signal-caller with Penn State import Ethan Grunkemeyer (1,339 yards, eight touchdowns, four interceptions in 2025) and a talented running back duo in Marcellous Hawkins and Jeffrey Overton Jr. (749 and 148 rushing yards in 2025, respectively; Overton played in four games).

There's also a solid 1-2 punch at wide receiver in Ayden Greene and Que'Sean Brown (516 yards and three TDs at Virginia Tech for Greene in 2025; 846 yards and five TDs at Duke for Brown in 2025), and a potentially dangerous trio at tight end in Luke Reynolds, Benji Gosnell and Ja'Ricous Hairston (257 yards for Reynolds at Penn State in 2025; 341 yards for Gosnell at Virginia Tech in 2024; 112 yards for Hairston at Virginia Tech in 2025).

On the defensive side, things are perhaps more murky. Linebackers is reliant upon steps up from sophomore Noah Chambers and senior Kaleb Spencer, while the secondary is largely experienced save for redshirt senior safety Tyson Flowers and Troy transfer Jaquez White. And for the most part, that applies to the defensive line. The leading edge will likely be Aycen Stevens, who, though he has held the Lunch Pail since the mid-goings of the spring, has 17 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and no sacks currently in his career, which has seen him serve as a reserve option.

Not so in one portion of the defensive tackle room, however. In that regard, Virginia Tech has a player who broke out last season and could be primed for a stellar redshirt senior situation. That player? Kemari Copeland, who spent a year apiece at Army West Point and Iowa Western C.C. before coming to the Hokies.

In Copeland's first season with the Hokies, he logged six tackles in his first four games before his campaign was abruptly concluded due to a season-ending quadriceps injury. The 6-foot-2, 305-pounder was back the next season, however, and broke out. As an every-game starter, Copeland racked up 48 tackles and a room-high 7.5 tackles for loss. His 7.5 TFLs were second on the team only to linebacker Kaleb Spencer. That, and Copeland racked up a career-high — and team-high — 4.5 sacks, highlighted by a three-sack game against California on Oct. 24. Copeland, a redshirt junior at the time, became the first Virginia Tech player to notch three sacks in a single game since his then-position coach J.C. Price did so back in 1995.

For his efforts, Copeland was named Third-Team All-ACC, and with the graduation of players like Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, that's opened up Copeland to potentially threaten for First-Team All-ACC if he can take another jump in his final collegiate season. Copeland was named to the Preseason All-ACC Team in late July, selected by a group of media members at the ACC Kickoff in Charlotte, N.C. Copeland was also named to the Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch Lists this summer.

Copeland was the lone-ACC nod, a big reason why I'm buying into the hype around his game. He's also displayed a pinball-esque style of rushing that lends itself well to his now-300-pound-plus frame. Combined with his weight room antics — per The Athletic's Bruce Feldman and Copeland's own social media posts, he squatted 735 pounds and recently set the bench press record with 510 pounds.

Truly blessed to say I have BROKEN the Virginia
Techs all-time bench press record 510 pounds !!#AGTG #ThislsHome pic.twitter.com/jCpaUmuoLK
— Kemari “The Hulk” Copeland™ (@KemariCopeland) July 23, 2026

Virginia Tech's 2026 season starts on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Hokies host VMI at Lane Stadium. The contest will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on the ACC Network, and it's the first billing between the two squads since all the way back in 1984.

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