Amari Cooper may be gone, but the next great Alabama wide receiver has been found in Calvin Ridley.
Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley appears to be the next star wide receiver in line in Tuscaloosa after the departure of Amari Cooper. Ridley leads the Crimson Tide in receiving yards, catches and touchdown receptions. Quarterback Jake Coker clearly trusts him, as he heaved a long bomb toward Ridley despite him being well-covered by two defenders.
Ridley showed incredible concentration and hauled in a 55-yard catch to set up a go-ahead Alabama touchdown. Here is a video of this incredible catch that would make Cooper proud.
"What a play for Alabama. A 55-yard pass play sets up a TD in this @BestBuy highlight. https://t.co/jnP7RNoD4i— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 5, 2015"
The Crimson Tide took a 12-7 lead in the second quarter, thanks to Ridley’s amazing catch. Running back Derrick Henry finished the job with a touchdown run of two yards. Although Henry has been the most featured part of the Alabama offense, Ridley figures to be a fixture for at least the next two years since he is a true freshman.
Julio Jones and Cooper previously experienced great success at Alabama before being selected in the top 10 in the NFL Draft. Jones made the 2010 All-SEC First Team before being selected sixth overall by the Atlanta Falcons. Cooper earned the 2014 Biletnikoff Award and finished as a first-team All-American and the Heisman Trophy runner-up. This was enough for the Oakland Raiders to draft him with the fourth overall pick.
Ridley has 71 catches for 872 yards and five touchdowns as of his catch. After Henry leaves for the NFL, Ridley’s numbers will undoubtedly spike if he can keep improving. His deep-threat ability will make him a future NFL prospect, and he has the potential to have careers similar to Jones and Cooper.