30 best Alabama football players to play for Nick Saban

Best Alabama football players under Nick Saban: 12. Amari Cooper

Amari Cooper had 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman. That just seemed like an appropriate way to start this slide. Cooper was so good right off the top of his career with the Crimson Tide. He averaged close to 17 yards per reception. Again, as a freshman. This was a preposterous output even with the powerhouse that is Alabama.

Cooper got better as the season went on, and he was at his best when the lights were brightest. He had five catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the Iron Bowl. Then, he had eight catches for 128 yards and a touchdown in the SEC Championship against Georgia. Finally, he had six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame in the BCS Championship Game.

How would he be able to bounce back? He had a slight sophomore slump. He faced some injury issues and only had 738 yards on the season. However, he did catch a 99-yard pass from A.J. McCarron against Auburn, and that’s all anyone will remember from him this season anyway. He also had a big Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma, ending his season on a positive note.

His senior season might be one of the best college receiving seasons in a long time. 1,727 yards in 14 games. He had 16 touchdowns, three of which came in the Iron Bowl. Cooper must love rivalries because he always had his best game against Auburn. He did all of this with Blake Sims at quarterback. Imagine if Cooper was playing with Tua Tagovailoa or even Jalen Hurts. Cooper might have 2,500 yards. Still, it was a phenomenal season.