Virginia Tech Star Exposes College Football Tampering Process

“Good afternoon. I have a minimum [offer] on the table for you in the fall portal,” the message shared by Copeland read. “Would love to connect with you and your folks about the opportunity this week if you have some availability.”

That was only part of Copeland's speech, as he also revealed the broader context of his own personal tampering story. Copeland said the outreach came during the season, before he entered the portal and amid coaching turmoil at Virginia Tech, calling it a textbook example of tampering.

“Tampering in college football is a real thing, and I’m gonna talk about it,” Copeland said. “Basically, what tampering is, is when coaches or people illegally recruit you, like when they’re not supposed to.”

Copeland said he felt inspired to speak publicly after Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney accusedOle Miss of tampering with linebacker Luke Ferrelli.

“Everyone knows it happens, but no one wants to say it out loud,” Copeland said. “This happens to all the good players — this happens to everyone.”

The senior lineman described seeing someone from the contacting program sitting near the front rows during a game, just before the message arrived, noting that the person was sporting the logo of a school not involved in Virginia Tech's game that day.

“I could be tripping,” Copeland said. “But there’s no way a fan would wear that logo to a Virginia Tech game and sit right in the front. Like, it’s just crazy.”

Copeland didn’t identify the school and isn’t asking for punishment, but his message adds a real-world story to back up Dabo Swinney’s allegations. The NCAA, meanwhile, confirmed it is investigating the Clemson-Ole Miss situation.

Virginia Tech opens the 2026 season with a home game at Blacksburg on Sept. 5 against VMI.