University of Alabama junior wide receiver Amari Cooper has always kept things pretty close to the vest, and not surprisingly wouldn’t reveal what kind of goals he set for himself before the start of this season.
“I don’t worry about any other things that can pressure on my myself,” he said during training camp. “I believe if you prepare thoroughly the only pressure you have on yourself is the pressure you put on yourself.”
However, when Cooper was being interviewed during the satellite radio show to reveal this year’s All-American Team by the Football Writers Association of America, on SiriusXM, he finally revealed what he had aimed for in 2014.
Cooper said his preseason goals were to get 100 catches and 1,500 yards, which was especially lofty considering that the school records set by Julio Jones were 78 and 1,133 (2010).
The winner of the Biletnikoff Award as best receiver and Heisman Trophy finalist exceeded both though and is heading into the playoffs with 115 receptions and 1,656 yards.
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
