Amari Cooper's Case for the Heisman Trophy

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If you came across Amari Cooper on the street, you might not know that you were looking at a Heisman Trophy contender.

He’s an unassuming 6’1”, 210 pounds. The reserved Cooper rarely raises his voice or makes himself heard.

It’s a different story on Saturdays.

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In 2014, Cooper has been the best player every time he steps on the field. He demands a defense’s attention wherever he lines up, and the second you hesitate, he will make you pay.

He was named one of three finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday, the first wide receiver to do so since Larry Fitzgerald in 2003. Only two receivers have ever won the prestigious award.

"It is a tremendous honor to be selected as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy," Cooper said in a UA release. "This will be my first trip to New York City, and I can’t put into words how much it means to me and my family. I am privileged to have the opportunity to represent our team at the Heisman ceremony. None of this would be possible without my coaches and teammates. The quarterback, offensive line, running backs and tight ends have done an unbelievable job all season and our coaches always put us in a position to be successful."

But Cooper deserves a shot at the trophy. Everything has gone his way this season, in one that will be remembered whether or not he takes home any hardware from New York.

Let’s lay out the case for Amari Cooper for Heisman.

The Stats

First and foremost, all Heisman candidates need the stats. Cooper has those and more.

A look at his raw numbers is impressive enough.

Category	Number	National rank
Receptions	115	1
Yards	1,656	1
Touchdowns	14	2
Receptions per game	8.8	2
Yards per game	127.4	2

Cooper is at or near the top of every major statistical category in the country. It’s a testament to his quarterback, Blake Sims, who has gotten him the ball more than anyone else in the nation. And offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has made him a major part of the game plan every week.

But Cooper has simply been a mismatch for every defense he’s faced.

He’s also making a tear through the record books. Here’s a sample of some of the records he’s broken this year:

Record	Number
Alabama single-game receiving yards	224 (Tennessee, Auburn)
Alabama career receptions	219
Alabama career receiving yards	3,392
Alabama career touchdowns	29
SEC single-season receptions	115

If you’re looking for a history-maker and someone who can stand up statistically around the country, Cooper is your guy.

The Eye Test

Fair or not, Heisman contenders are at least somewhat judged by a highlight reel of sorts, or a “Heisman Moment.” Cooper never had one specific moment. His highlight reel, though, is pretty lengthy.

Here’s a small sampling.

Cooper, for starters, has the eye-opening speed to blow through defenders for deep-ball scores:

He’s shifty enough and explosive enough to take short throws to the house:

And his body control and positioning near the goal line can make even the most cynical of #BanTheFade haters into instant believers (start at the 4:18 mark):

These are plays he has made all season, beginning with a clunky win over West Virginia and ending with a complete clobbering of Missouri in the SEC Championship Game.

At some point, it almost becomes routine watching Cooper making these plays.

But if voters were looking for Heisman Moments from Cooper this year, they had plenty to choose from.

The Intangibles

The Heisman Trust’s mission statement famously includes the words “with integrity,” a subject of endless debate when discussing the trophy.

It almost cost Jameis Winston the award last year. Reggie Bush was stripped of his because of it.

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There are no concerns with Cooper’s character, and he’s given us no reason to believe there ever would be.

He was nonchalant when approached about the possibility of winning the award shortly after the SEC Championship Game.

"That's great," Cooper said, according to Michael Casagrande of al.com. "That's a great accomplishment. To go to New York, very few are chosen and I'm just happy that I might get the opportunity to go."

He’s never been an over-the-top or outlandish guy. That carries over on the field.

“He is sort of a quiet guy when it comes to how he plays," Alabama coach Nick Saban said earlier this season. "He's not a trash-talker. He doesn't say much. He listens. Very respectful of his coaches to do what they're asking him to do and tries to do it and get better. I have a tremendous amount of respect for guys that go about their business like he does. He's just a really good person as well as a very, very good competitor.”

It all adds up to a bona fide Heisman candidate, one that deserves serious consideration for college football’s most prestigious award.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.