Louisiana native and sophomore wide receiver Cam Sims was tabbed to be Amari Cooper’s heir apparent. Sims, 6-foot-5, 209 pounds, caught seven passes for 62 yards and a touchdown in 12 games last season. He suffered a knee injury (ACL) in spring practice, and may not return until late in the 2015 season.
Sophomore Robert Foster has emerged as Alabama’s vertical, deep ball target in Sims’ absence. He has the potential to produce huge numbers this fall.
Foster, 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, is a native of Monaca, Pa. He enrolled at Alabama in 2013, as one of the top wide receiver prospects nationally. A former five-star recruit, Foster totaled 107 receptions for 1,860 yards and 26 touchdowns in three seasons at Central Valley High School.
He saw action in nine games last season as a redshirt freshman. Foster accounted for 44 yards on six catches. He lacked consistency early on, but has finally developed into a coachable player. His improvements became evident in Alabama’s 2015 spring game.
He caught six passes for 125 yards, and was in sync with senior quarterback Jake Coker. Foster possess the size, strength and speed to be a dynamic primary receiver in 2015.
Amari Cooper took his moment in 2012, after a knee injury to DeAndrew White in Alabama’s meeting against Ole Miss. He totaled 1,000 yards as a freshman, and would go on to become the program’s all-time leading receiver with 228 catches for 3,463 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Foster is in the same situation. An injury to Cam Sims has forced him into action.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
