Alabama Football: ‘Ten Best Tide WRs of All-Time’ proves Tide is WRU
By Ronald Evans
No. 2 – Amari Cooper (2012-2014)
Until DeVonta Smith took over college football, Amari Cooper was the most complete wide receiver in Crimson Tide history.
He had speed, size and vision. His route-running was clinical. As importantly, he was a clutch performer. No game was too big and no opponent was too tough. He was so good he made the game look easy. That was an illusion. The best defensive backs in the SEC tried every game to control him. None succeeded.
On top of all that was his commitment to making himself and his teammates better. There is a great Cooper and Eddie Jackson story. In Jackson’s freshman season, Copper was smoking him in practice. Saban was dogging Eddie and made it clear he was not pulling him off coverage of Cooper. As Amari and a dispirited Jackson jogged between plays, Amari encouraged Eddie to hang on, saying “every play you come at me you get better.”
Cooper is No. 2 in the Alabama Crimson Tide record book s for total receptions (228), receiving yards (3,463) and 31 touchdowns. He was a 2014 consensus All-American. In the same season, he was the Biletnikoff Award winner and the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.