Julio Jones, one of the greatest wide receivers, as well as players overall, in Alabama Crimson Tide football history has now officially hung up his cleats, announcing his retirement from the NFL on Friday.
Jones made the announcement via a video, which was posted on social media.
One of the biggest recruiting wins in program history, Jones originally came to Alabama as a member of the Crimson Tide's 2008 recruiting class. Rated as a five-star recruit, as well as the No. 3 overall player in the 2008 class, Jones' decision to commit to Alabama was considered one of the first significant moves of the Nick Saban era, deciding to join the Crimson Tide in a ceremony held on National Signing Day.
Once in Tuscaloosa, the highly-touted Jones was an immediate star for the Crimson Tide as a freshman, hauling in 58 receptions for 924 yards and four touchdowns. Jones also continued that success in 2009 by hauling in a total of 43 receptions for 596 yards and four touchdowns, playing a key role for Alabama's first national championship team of the Saban era.
Jones' top season at Alabama however likely then came in 2010 as a junior in which he hauled in a career-high 73 receptions for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns. After seasons end, the former top recruit then declared for the 2011 NFL draft, with Jones eventually being selected No. 6 overall in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons.
After his time in Tuscaloosa, Jones then went on to spend 10 seasons in Atlanta from 2011-20 in which he had over 12,000+ receiving yards and 60 touchdowns with the Falcons. Among his many honors in Atlanta was leading the NFL in receiving yards during both the 2015 and 2018 seasons, seven Pro Bowl selections, and a two-time First Team All-Pro in 2015 and 2016.
In recent years, Jones has seen time with the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles as well, last coming in 2023.
After 13 seasons from 2011-23, Jones concludes his NFL career with a total of 914 receptions for 13,703 yards and 66 touchdowns across 166 games. Jones was also a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time First Team All-Pro, and steps away from the game as one of greatest wide receivers ever who appears on track for the Hall of Fame.
Breaking: Seven-time Pro Bowler Julio Jones has announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons. pic.twitter.com/rEOq1v1foE
— ESPN (@espn) April 4, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Former Alabama, Falcons star Julio Jones announces retirement from NFL
