In the waning years of Nick Saban's career at Alabama, the school became a bit of a receiver factory in its own right. It churned out first-round picks Amari Cooper (2015), Calvin Ridley (2018), Henry Ruggs and Jerry Jeudy (2020), Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith (2021), and Jameson Williams (2021).
Even with that impressive pedigree, however, 2011 No. 6 overall pick Julio Jones stands as the most impressive of the bunch with a Pro Football Hall of Fame career now officially under his belt.
Jones, who retired Friday, was the first Alabama wide receiver to be drafted in the first round since Joey Jones was picked ninth overall by the Falcons in 1984. The superstar receiver was the second receiver off the board after A.J. Green, and despite not being a production monster with the Crimson Tide during his time in Tuscaloosa, it was immediately evident the Falcons had picked a potential star in the 6-foot-3, 220-pound wideout.
What followed was a 13-year NFL career in which Jones amassed 914 catches (27th all-time), 13,703 yards (16th all-time), and 66 touchdowns. Jones didn't play in 2024, so although his retirement was, in a sense, a formality, he will still go down as the best receiver in Falcons history to date.
Before he terrorized the NFC South, however, Jones was showing out for Saban with the Crimson Tide. Just how good was he? Here's a look back at Jones' time in Alabama.
When did Julio Jones play for Alabama?
Jones was recruited as the No. 3 player in the country and the No. 1 receiver according to 247Sports' Composite rankings. A native of Foley, Alabama — a four-hour drive south of Tuscaloosa — he led the Tide's 2008 class, which also featured the likes of Mark Ingram II and Dont'a Hightower.
Jones would play three seasons for Alabama from 2008-2010, earning All-SEC honors in all three seasons (second team in 2008 and 2009, first team in 2010) and second-team All-American in ...
