The Shadow
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has announced Virginia Tech football student-athletes, defensive lineman Kemari Copeland, safety Tyson Flowers, and running back Marcellous Hawkins will join Head Coach James Franklin at the ACC Football Kickoff on July 16.
The ACC Football Kickoff will span three full days of interviews, from July 15th to 17th, at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will feature all 17 football teams with ACC Network providing coverage throughout all three days, including live interviews with head coaches and student-athletes, press conferences and more. Fans can also follow the event on hokiesports.com and the Hokiesports app.
Copeland (6-2, 290) started all 12 games for the Hokies last season, recording 48 tackles (11 solo) including 7.5 TFLs. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native led the team with 4.5 sacks and also registered an interception on his way to Third Team All-ACC honors.
Flowers (5-11, 213), from Fort Worth, Texas, started all 12 games for the Hokies in 2025. He tallied 49 tackles (26 solo), two pass breakups, two hurries, and a forced fumble.
Hawkins (5-10, 223) played in 11 games with nine starts a season ago and was the Hokies’ most productive running back. A native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hawkins tallied 118 carries for 749 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.3 yards a carry. He recorded 23 runs of 10+ yards and 12 of more than 15 yards, forcing 44 missed tackles and gaining 562 yards after first contact. Hawkins also registered 12 receptions out of the backfield for 86 yards and a touchdown.
The Hokies are scheduled to open the season against VMI, Saturday, Sept. 5 at Lane Stadium with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now to catch Copeland, Flowers, Hawkins, and the rest of the Hokies in action as James Franklin begins his inaugural season on the sidelines in Blacksburg.
