He played college football for the University of Alabama, was recognized as an All-American and was a member of a national championship team in 1992.
Copeland initially attended Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, but later received an athletic scholarship to transfer to the University of Alabama, and played for coach Gene Stallings' Alabama Crimson Tide football teams.
1 ranked defense in 1992, when both of Curry and Copeland were recognized as consensus first-team All-Americans.
As a senior, he was a member of the Crimson Tide team that won the consensus national championship by defeating the Miami Hurricanes 34–13 in the Sugar Bowl.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Copeland in the first round (fifth pick overall) of the 1993 NFL draft.