Cooper Semifinalist for Maxwell, Collins Semifinalist for Bednarik

Amari Cooper and Landon Collins were both named to national award semifinalist lists on Monday as the Maxwell Award tabbed Cooper and the Bednarik Award identified Collins.

The Maxwell Award recognizes the Collegiate Player of the Year and the Chuck Bednarik Award honors the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year in college football. The respective lists include a field of 20 candidates for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards, as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee.

Cooper is turning in one of the most impressive seasons for a wide receiver in recent memory with 71 receptions for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns. He ranks first in school history in receiving touchdowns (24) and 100-yard receiving games (13) while ranking second in yards (2,868) and third in receptions (175). Cooper is just one yard behind the Tide’s single-season receiving yards record and just seven receptions back of that single-season mark.

Collins, a junior from Geismar, La., leads a defense that ranks second nationally in scoring defense and fourth in total defense. He leads the Crimson Tide with two interceptions and five pass breakups. Cooper is also second in tackles with 54, including 26 solo stops, two tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron won the 2013 Maxwell Award, becoming the first Alabama player to be selected for the prestigious honor. No Alabama player has won the Bednarik Award.