With 1,799 receiving yards, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill led the NFL in the 2023 season. The former West Alabama standout became the third player from an Alabama high school or college to top the NFL in receiving yards in a season.
Don Hutson (Alabama) led the NFL in receiving yards in 1936, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944, and Julio Jones (Foley, Alabama) led the league in 2015 and 2018.
After Hill’s 2023 output, four players with Alabama football roots have accumulated more than 10,000 NFL receiving yards, with Hill joining Terrell Owens (Benjamin Russell) at 15,934, Jones at 13,703 and Roddy White (UAB) at 10,863.
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After reaching a career-high 1,250 receiving yards in 2023, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (Alabama) is 514 short of reaching 10,000.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville), Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (Hoover), Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (Alabama), Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley (Alabama) and Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) joined Hill and Cooper as 2023 1,000-yard receivers from Alabama high schools and colleges.
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The players with Alabama football roots who have the most NFL receiving yards include:
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens catches a touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 18, 2001, in Charlotte, N.C.(AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
1. Terrell Owens, Benjamin Russell High School in 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: Has 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. 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.
4. Tyreek Hill, West Alabama: 10,139 receiving yards
Kansas City Chiefs 2016-2021, Miami Dolphins 2022-2023: Has caught 717 passes, averaged 14.1 yards per reception and scored 76 touchdowns. Eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro and six 1,000-yard seasons.
5. Amari Cooper, Alabama: 9,486 receiving yards
Oakland Raiders 2015-2018, Dallas Cowboys 2018-2021, Cleveland Browns 2022-2023: Has caught 667 passes, averaged 14.2 yards per reception and scored 60 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 in 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 Twitter @AMarkG1.