Alabama’s Amari Cooper finished third in the Heisman Trophy race behind winner Marcus Mariota and Melvin Gordon.

 

While Tide fans would have certainly preferred for the award to go to Cooper, there is little doubt that the right man was presented with the historic trophy Sat. night in New York.

 

Mariota has had a remarkable season leading the Oregon Ducks into the inaugural college football playoffs. Mariota led the nation with an impressive 186.3 passer rating, and also set a PAC-12 record with 53 touchdowns. Mariota became the first player since Cam Newton to win both the Maxwell and the Heisman Trophy.

 

Cooper had a great season himself, leading the nation with 1656 yards receiving. Cooper had three games of more than 200 yards, and seven games of more than 100 yards. Cooper delivered one his best games in the final regular season game, to the Auburn Tigers. Cooper put up 224 yards receiving and caught three touchdowns.