The University of Alabama's offensive identity in 2014 wasn't built on the back of Derrick Henry or the arm of Blake Sims. It wasn't even the offensive line, if you ask sophomore left tackle Cam Robinson.

Alabama's calling card was its unstoppable wide receiver.

"A lot of Amari Cooper," Robinson said. "A lot of Amari Cooper, man. He's a great player and Coach Kiffin did a great job of putting the ball in his hands. He was a great athlete, great worker. Probably the greatest player I've ever played with or ever come in contact with."

Cooper's departure for the NFL left the Crimson Tide looking for a new identity, but the wide receivers are searching for even more than that. UA's top three receivers from 2014 are all gone. While there is some experience at the position, there are no seniors in the group.

"The position is open," redshirt junior Chris Black said. "We have a lot of guys who are hungry, a lot of guys who have kind of been waiting on their turn to play."

Black is the veteran of the group, and his 23 catches in the last two seasons are the most of any returning player. He's played mostly in the slot to this point in his career, and is looking to expand his role this fall.

Cooper, who would have been a senior this year if he had decided to return, still has an impact on the group. Replacing his production is a topic of discussion among receivers, but he's also a resource. Wide receivers coach Billy Napier references the Biletnikoff winner in meetings. He's the standard the other wide receivers aspire to, Black said, and a model to emulate.

"It hasn't even been a year since he left yet," Black said. "Something comes up, coach will show us. He's a great guy to watch on film."

Black said he's found a couple things from Cooper that he can "steal from." He'll try to use that knowledge and his own skills to take some of the load the Cooper bore in his record-setting 2014. He'll have to do it in his own way, but he sees the opportunity available.

"I feel like I bring a lot of versatility," Black said. "I'm a guy, you give me a five-yard catch and I can turn it into a touchdown anytime.

Other players will have to do the same. Sophomore ArDarius Stewart has earned praise throughout fall camp, and a handful of freshmen have made waves.

This year will be the first chance for many of those young players to show what they can do. They likely won't reach the standard that Cooper has them reaching for, but the opening out wide has them pushing past what they've done before.

"I think any time players have to play, they do better a lot of times than people think they will," offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin said. "Because now they have to. Unfortunately, sometimes they don't prepare the same way until they're really playing, as much as we tell them to."