The Alabama Crimson Tide Head Coach Nick Saban is
one of
the best recruiter in the NCAA. Saban not only finds Alabama their incredible defensive recruits, their offensive skill position players are just as impressive.
Saban’s ability to recruit gave way to a familiar narrative we are accustomed to. The story goes like this, a highly touted five-star receiver is honored with a scholarship to the University of Alabama, and then accepts it.
After getting this scholarship, the receiver breaks records with the team, and dominates within the conference. Over time, that receiver becomes so amazing that cornerbacks who try to stop him with their quickness get introduced to that wide receiver’s strength. Eventually this wide receiver wins a National Championship and becomes an All Conference player, an All American performer and a campus legend.
The receiver in the story mentioned above is not in fact referring to the sixth pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Julio Jones (who eventually dominated the NFL as well and made the Pro Bowl).
It is referring to Amari Cooper, who superseded Jones at Alabama.
All of those accomplishments mentioned during the story, were all accomplished by Cooper during his freshman year. Not only did he win a National Championship, he was named to the Freshman All American Team and to the All SEC Freshman team.
Cooper is a better receiver than Jones was at Alabama and now Tuscaloosa has one more year to take in the greatness of Amari Cooper, because he will dominate the NFL after his Junior season (assuming he leaves).
During his freshman year alone, Cooper, led Alabama with 59 receptions, 1000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also broke Jones freshman receiving records in yards and catches.
Now entering his Junior season we can see how commanding Cooper’s stats will be. Below are the stats of Julio Jones & Amari Cooper during their Alabama Career.
Each of these receivers tailed off during their sophomore year. We can see that in most of the categories, Cooper is the better player (this is not to say that Jones is a bad receiver in any way shape or form), it is to truly appreciate how special of a wide out Amari Cooper genuinely is.
Nevertheless, next year looks like it will be a monster year for Cooper. With the departure of A.J. McCarron, Cooper will most likely be a safety blanket and go to receiver for Jacob Coker or Blake Sims.
Having another influential season at Alabama should only boost Cooper’s draft stock. Most personnel decision makers understand that if Cooper was at another school with a pass happy offense his numbers would be even greater.
It would be such an honor so see a receiver as gifted as Cooper have the opportunity to play in the new College Football Playoff. Alabama will be in the thick of a long postseason run because of the superior talent that their roster holds.
As for next year, “Roll Tide” , because Cooper might be rolling along into the NFL.