Hampton University WRs Jadakis Bonds, Romon Copeland are tearing through defenses. Next up: Battle of the Bay vs. Norfolk State

Robert Prunty is the tie that binds for Hampton University wide receivers Jadakis Bonds and Romon Copeland.

Bonds, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior, says the Pirates’ fifth-year coach is the reason he stayed at Hampton this season before making his bid to play in the NFL. Copeland, a 5-9, 165-pound sophomore, says Prunty is the reason he came to HU in the first place.

“I had some Power Five offers, but some were walk-ons because of my size,” said Copeland, who was named the Class 6 Player of the Year after leading Oscar Smith to the 2019 state title. “He told me things I needed to hear and said he would offer me the opportunity to be great if I came to Hampton.”

Talk was that Bonds might take a shot at going pro after earning All-Big South honors the past two seasons, when he made 124 catches for 1,716 yards and 21 touchdowns in 21 games. But, after talking with Prunty, he concluded he could enhance his stock by remaining one more season.

“I think coming back is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said Bonds, who had nine catches for 213 yards and three touchdowns in Hampton’s season-opening wins over Howard and Tuskegee. “My relationship with Coach Prunty, and the loyalty and support he has shown me since I was a freshman, is what really kept me here.

“I felt it was only right that I finish strong and get my degree to become one of the first in my family to do that. It also gives me a chance to mentor the young receivers.”

Copeland is one. As the Pirates (2-0) travel across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to play rival Norfolk State (0-2) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Dick Price Stadium, Copeland has caught a team-high 10 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Following a solid true freshman season a year ago, when he caught 26 passes for 605 yards and three TDs, Copeland gives some of the credit for his improvement to Bonds.

“I follow his steps because Jada is so talented,” Copeland said. “He’s God-gifted, like a golden child.

“I’ve learned that I can improve recognizing defenses and making more explosive plays after the catch.”

Bonds feels Copeland is poised to take over his starring role at receiver.

“It’s like I’ll be passing the torch to him when I leave and graduate,” Bonds said. “People look at him like he’s not this or that because he’s a small guy, but at the end of the day, he comes to work, comes to study the game and he loves being around the game.”

Both are looking forward to playing Norfolk State, the Pirates’ biggest rival. For Copeland, last year’s Battle of the Bay left some good memories because his 31-yard touchdown reception was the first of his collegiate career.

“The feeling of getting that first touchdown catch is one I can’t even describe,” Copeland said. “It was something I’d worked for all summer, a big moment for me, my family and team, and after that it was just ‘roll on.’

“They played a Tampa 2 coverage and Coach [Zack] Patterson [Hampton’s offensive coordinator] said just beat your man on the [seam] route and the ball will be there. That’s what I did.”

Deep threat Bonds had an even bigger game against the Spartans with six catches for 155 yards and touchdowns of 17 and 49 yards. But the 47-44 overtime loss a year ago left a bad taste in his mouth and a healthy respect for the Spartans, despite their one-sided losses to FBS opponents Marshall and JMU to start this season.

“We know they’re going to compete, so we can’t take anything for granted,” Bonds said. “We know they have a good program, but we bring something to the table, too.

“I don’t want to say there’s a chip on our shoulders [because of last year], but there is a chip on our shoulders. This would be a big win and would give us added confidence going into CAA play.”

With junior college transfer Malcolm Mays (391 passing yards, four touchdowns) gaining experience at quarterback, and Bonds and Copeland forming a dynamic duo, the Pirates’ passing game is a big reason for that confidence.

“They’re great guys and great students,” Prunty said of his star wideouts. “The biggest improvement they’ve made is in the weight room, and both come out every day working hard on technique.

“They are very coachable in the fundamentals and it’s showing on the field.”