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It was a foregone conclusion, but Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper has officially been named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
He will join Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon on Saturday, Dec. 13 in New York for the ceremony which will air on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. Central.
Cooper leads the country in receptions and receiving yards, and was a lock to be named one of the final few for the award. He was named the Associated Press’ All-SEC offensive player of the year and was a unanimous first-team selection.
Cooper has set countless records for Alabama this season, and could be the first wide receiver to win the trophy since Michigan’s Desmond Howard won it in 1991.
“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy,” Cooper said in statement released by UA Athletics. “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.”
Cooper could be Alabama’s second ever Heisman winner, after running back Mark Ingram won the award in 2009. Even if Cooper doesn’t win, he will most likely finish in second, making him tied with quarterback AJ McCarron as the highest finisher for Alabama other than Ingram. Running back Trent Richardson and wide receiver David Palmer both finished third in their respective nominated seasons.
