Although Amari Cooper had the least productive season of his career in 2024, the former Crimson Tide All-American became the fifth player with Alabama football roots to surpass 10,000 receiving yards in the NFL.
Cooper followed Terrell Owens, Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tyreek Hill in achieving that feat after playing for an Alabama high school or college.
Three wide receivers with Alabama football roots recorded 1,000-yard seasons in 2024. The Cleveland Browns’ Jerry Jeudy (Alabama) had 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns, the Tennessee Titans’ Calvin Ridley (Alabama) had 64 receptions for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns and the Houston Texans’ Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) had 68 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns.
None of the three has reached the top 10 for career NFL receiving yards among alumni of Alabama high schools and colleges. Those 10 players have remained the same for the past four years, although the rankings have changed.
The single-season record for receiving yards by a player with Alabama football roots is held by Jones, who had 1,871 for the Atlanta Falcons in 2015. That ranks third in NFL history.
Jones also set the Alabama-roots record for single-season receptions in 2015 with 136, tied for fourth on the NFL’s all-time list.
The state’s single-season record for touchdown receptions has stood since 1942, when Don Hutson had 17 for the Green Bay Packers.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens catches a touchdown pass during an NFL playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 3, 1999, at 3COM Park in San Francisco.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens catches a touchdown pass during an NFL playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers on Jan. 3, 1999, at 3COM Park in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Susan Ragan)
The players with Alabama football roots who have the most NFL receiving yards include:
1. Terrell Owens, Benjamin Russell High School (Alexander City): 15,934 receiving yards
San Francisco 49ers 1996-2003, Philadelphia Eagles 2004-2005, Dallas Cowboys 2006-2008, Buffalo Bills 2009, Cincinnati Bengals 2010: Caught 1,078 passes, averaged 14.8 yards per reception and scored 153 receiving touchdowns. Six-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro and Pro Football Hall of Fame member with nine 1,000-yard seasons.
2. Julio Jones, Foley High School, Alabama: 13,703 receiving yards
Atlanta Falcons 2011-2020, Tennessee Titans 2021, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2022, Philadelphia Eagles 2023: Caught 914 passes, averaged 15.0 yards per reception and scored 66 receiving touchdowns. Seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro with seven 1,000-yard seasons.
3. Tyreek Hill,West Alabama: 11,098 receiving yards
Kansas City Chiefs 2016-2021, Miami Dolphins 2022-2024: Has caught 798 passes, averaged 13.9 yards per reception and scored 82 touchdowns. Eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro and six 1,000-yard seasons.
4. Roddy White,UAB: 10,863 receiving yards
Atlanta Falcons 2005-2015: Caught 808 passes, averaged 13.4 yards per reception and scored 63 receiving touchdowns. Four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro with six 1,000-yard seasons.
5. Amari Cooper, Alabama: 10,033 receiving yards
Oakland Raiders 2015-2018, Dallas Cowboys 2018-2021, Cleveland Browns 2022-2024, Buffalo Bills 2024: Has caught 711 passes, averaged 14.1 yards per reception and scored 64 receiving touchdowns. Five-time Pro Bowler with seven 1,000-yard seasons.
6. John Stallworth, Tuscaloosa High School,Alabama A&M: 8,723 receiving yards
Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-1987: Caught 537 passes, averaged 16.2 yards per reception and scored 63 receiving touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, four-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame member with three 1,000-yard seasons.
7. Don Hutson, Alabama: 7,991 receiving yards
Green Bay Packers 1935-1945: Caught 488 passes, averaged 16.4 yards per reception and scored 99 receiving touchdowns. Four-time Pro Bowler, eight-time All-Pro, three-time NFL champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame member with one 1,000-yard season.
8. Ozzie Newsome, Colbert County High School, Alabama: 7,980 receiving yards
Cleveland Browns 1978-1990: Caught 662 passes, averaged 12.1 yards per reception and scored 47 receiving touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro and Pro Football Hall of Fame member with two 1,000-yard seasons.
9. Frank Sanders,Auburn: 6,749 receiving yards
Arizona Cardinals 1995-2002, Baltimore Ravens 2003: Caught 507 passes, averaged 13.3 yards per reception and scored 24 receiving touchdowns. Two 1,000-yard seasons.
10. Jerricho Cotchery, Phillips High School (Birmingham): 6,623 receiving yards
New York Jets 2004-2010, Pittsburgh Steelers 2011-2013, Carolina Panthers 2014-2015: Caught 524 passes, averaged 12.6 yards per reception and scored 34 receiving touchdowns. One 1,000-yard season.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X@AMarkG1.
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