FAU Coach: Amari Cooper is Among Best WRs in College Football

Statistics are one way to rate Amari Cooper's play through two games in 2014, and an opposing coach's praise is another.

After Cooper's 13-catch, 189 yards and one touchdown performance in Alabama's 41-0 victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday, Owls coach Charlie Partridge was quick to laud Cooper.

"He's one of the best receivers in the country," Partridge said. "With contested balls, he's someone that you'd have your hands full. He's someone you have to account for. As soon as you roll over and start to account for him, you start to lighten the box and then you lighten the box for tremendous running backs in the backfield."

It was the second straight game, Cooper was exalted for his on-field accomplishments by Alabama's opponent after the conclusion of the game. Last week, days after the West Virginia's loss to Alabama, Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen went a step further about Cooper.

"No. 9 for Alabama might be the first overall pick in the draft," Holgorsen said, according to WVU's transcript of his Tuesday press conference. "He was a really good player. He got his. He caught the ball, and he got open."

Cooper had 12 catches for 130 yards in the season opener against the Mountaineers. His 13-catch game Saturday against tied the school record for receptions in a game with D.J. Hall, who also made 13 catches in a game in 2007 against Tennessee.

Currently, Cooper ranks first nationally in receptions (25) and receiving yards (319) this season. After a breakout freshman season of 59 catches for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, Cooper was limited to 45 catches, 736 yards and four scores a year ago with nagging injuries.

Healthy or not, quarterback Blake Sims is well aware of Cooper's importance to Alabama's success.

“It’s good because with him out there, you can’t just focus on the running game," said Sims, who connected with Cooper for a 52-yard touchdown against FAU. "You also can’t forget about the other players we have because they can make plays just as well as he can. Congratulations to him on tying the record.”