Kemari Copeland

About

Football defensive lineman known for playing for the Virginia Tech Hokies after previously playing for Army West Point and Iowa Western Community College. He is also known for helping Iowa Western win the NJCAA Division I National Championship. 

Before fame

He began playing football at a young age. He attended Floyd E. Kellam High School where he developed into a standout defensive lineman. He committed to Army West Point and began his college football career in 2022. He appeared in seven games for Army during the 2022 season. He transferred to Iowa Western Community College for the 2023 season in search of expanded playing time. He used the junior college season as a major development year. He helped Iowa Western win the NJCAA Division I National Championship in 2023. He signed with Virginia Tech in December 2023 and enrolled in January 2024.

Trivia

He earned All-Beach District honors during his high school career in 2021. He was named Beach District Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2021. He earned All-Tidewater recognition for his performance during the 2021 high school football season. He earned ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors in October 2025. He earned All-ACC recognition in 2025.

Family life

He is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is the son of Stephen and Keketrius Copeland. He has three brothers named Stephen, Kobe, and Zion. He comes from an athletic family and one of his brothers played college football at Elon University.

Associated with

He has played for the same Virginia Tech program associated with Tyrod Taylor and Michael Vick.