Mike Reilly

National Signing Day can be either an exciting or disappointing day for college football fans depending on how your team does. Still, no matter what, there’s always a little bit drama. Highly touted recruits apparently do not take enough time to focus on their significant decision beforehand. This absurd and seemingly unrecognized lack of time management skills causes recruits to go to the decision table with multiple team’s hats.

This was the method of choice for four-star wide receiver Jacob Copeland when National Signing Day rolled around on February 7. He went to the table with three teams as his possible choice; Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee.

Sitting beside Copeland were a few family members, including his mother. She sat next to her son sporting an Alabama sweatshirt and Tennessee hat. Certainly not a combination you see every day (or ever, for that matter), but in this case, it was perhaps an indication of where Copeland was leaning. Copeland himself was sporting a suit and a (ridiculous looking) bowtie that perfectly matched the shade of crimson worn by Alabama. Speaking of which, it is important to note that the other family members around Copeland were also sporting Alabama and Tennessee gear.

However, when decision time finally came, Copeland decided to go with the Florida Gators. This choice led to Copeland’s mother getting up from the signing table and walking away from the scene.

I believe there is plenty that can be taken away from all this.

According to a USA Today article on the matter, Copeland has said that his mother’s reaction was pretty much just a staged attempt to get some attention and possibly even some laughs.

While this may be true, Copeland is still just a high school teenager. If you’re someone who’s just gonna believe his side of the story without thinking about this further, that’s your own fault.

Copeland tweeted the following later that day:

Again, this very well could have been a staged joke, I am not denying that. And like most of the people that watched these events take place, I do not personally know Copeland’s mother or her line of work. However, the way Copeland’s mother carelessly walked in front of the camera when leaving is not something the average person can just accidentally do.

I want to believe Copeland, but I have to reiterate that he is only in high school and you can’t take high schoolers’ word on anything. Also, using two sets of crying laughing emojis in a tweet is a red flag. Seems to be perhaps a little desperate don’t you think?

Anyhow, whether this was staged gag or Copeland just simply forgot to let his mother know where he was going (classic high schooler move) there is one thing everyone should be able to agree on.

National Signing Day needs to expand itself into a full-fledged reality show.

You might be thinking; “A reality show for high school athletes choosing their college, what?” It may seem like a weird idea at first, that is true. But this is reality television we’re talking about, anything’s possible.

What if I told you there was a successful reality show about an over privileged and rather attractive family? How about one that centers around snobby try-hard wives that are (way) past their prime and just sit around and bitch at each other?

If you ever heard of “Keeping up with the Kardashians” or “The Real Housewives of (wherever the fuck they’re from)” you’ll know I am not lying. So why not give us a reality show following some of the best stories of NSD. Expand the coverage beyond ESPN. Allow one of those online-exclusive channels that has high school quarterback shows grow their brand to signing day shows. The more of indecisive (or extremely well thought out planning) high school kids and angry moms, the better.