Collins, Cooper, and Scott Named Finalists for National Awards

The Alabama trio of safety Landon Collins, wide receiver Amari Cooper and punter JK Scott were selected as finalist for national awards on Tuesday evening.

Collins, already a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, was selected as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and goes to the nation’s top defensive back. Cooper was named a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation to the nation’s most outstanding receiver. Scott was selected as a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, presented by the Augusta Sports Council to the nation’s top punter.

Collins, from Geismar, La., is the leader of the Crimson Tide's vaunted defense that ranks second nationally in scoring defense (14.5 ppg), second in rushing defense (85.3 ypg), fifth in total defense (283.5) and 19^th in pass efficiency defense (108.95). The junior has 75 tackles, a team-best three interceptions, 2.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups.

Cooper, from Miami, Fla., is Alabama’s single-season record holder for receptions, yards and touchdowns while leading all SEC receivers with 90 catches for 1,349 yards and 11 touchdowns. The junior has three double-digit reception games and has caught at least eight passes in nine of 11 games this season. Cooper also shares or owns all of Alabama career receiving records with 194 catches for 3,085 yards and 26 touchdowns.

Scott, a freshman from Denver, Colo., ranks second nationally in punting average (46.8 yards per punt) and second in net punting (43.28 ypp). He leads the nation in percentage of punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line at 53.5 percent (23 of 43), with 16 punts of 50 yards or more and four over 60 yards with a long of 66.

Winners for all three awards will be revealed on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing live from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk at the Walt Disney World Resort on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. (CT).