Top 10 all-time leading receivers in Alabama football history
Throughout the storied history of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program, there has no been shortage of talent at the receiver position.
For example, Alabama has seen a wide receiver win the Heisman Trophy before, along with others win the Biletnikoff Award, which is presented annually to college football's top wide receiver. The Crimson Tide have also placed many wide receivers into the NFL over the years as well, a lengthy list that includes multiple first round picks.
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Looking at that group, some of those same names amassed those accolades due to their performance on-field for the Crimson Tide, a talking point that still exists today for some. That is because a few of those names still rank among the greatest wide receivers in program history, with the stats certainly there to back it up, in particular when it comes to receiving yards.
Here are the Top 10 leading receivers in Alabama football history entering the 2025 season, starting with No. 10:
10. Freddie Milons (1998-2001)
Jul 18, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; An Alabama Crimson Tide helmet is shown on the main stage during SEC football media day at the College Football Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
We begin at the No. 10 spot with Freddie Milons, a four-year player at Alabama from 1998-2001 who concluded his Crimson Tide career with 1,859 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 152 receptions. Milons' top season with the Crimson Tide was likely his 1999 campaign in which he hauled in 65 receptions for a career-high 733 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 178 yards and a score.
9. Keith Brown (2004-07)
September 2, 2006; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Keith Brown (81) celebrates his touchdown over the Hawaii Warriors in the second half of action at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated the Hawaii Warriors 25-17. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2006 John David Mercer
A four-year player at Alabama from 2004-07, Keith Brown ended his Crimson Tide career with 1,863 receiving yards, which he amassed over 117 receptions with 13 touchdowns. Brown's best season with the Crimson Tide was likely his 2005 sophomore campaign in which he hauled in 34 receptions for a career-high 642 yards and four scores, but an argument can likely be made his 2006 as well.
8. Ozzie Newsome (1974-77)
Oct 8, 1977; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Alabama Crimson Tide reciver Ozzie Newsome (82) in action against the Southern California Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Long Photography-USA TODAY Sports
At the time he came through Tuscaloosa, Alabama had likely not seen a receiver better than Ozzie Newsome, who ended his Crimson Tide career with 2,070 yards and 16 touchdowns on only 102 receptions from 1974-77. Likely Newsome's best season at Alabama was his last in 1977, a year in which he led the SEC with 804 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 36 receptions.
7. John Metchie III (2019-21)
Nov 20, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) and Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) celebrate after Williams scored a touchdown against Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
John Metchie III was a three-year player at Alabama from 2019-21 who ended his Crimson Tide career with 2,081 receiving yards on 155 receptions and 14 touchdowns. Metchie won one national championship at Alabama back in 2020, and his best season in Tuscaloosa was in 2021 campaign in which he hauled in 96 receptions for a career-high 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns.
6. Julio Jones (2008-10)
September 27, 2008; Athens, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Julio Jones (8) runs with the ball after a catch against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine- USA TODAY Sports
One of the most talented players to ever come through Tuscaloosa, regardless of position, Julio Jones racked up 2,653 yards from across three seasons from 2008-10, doing so on 179 receptions with 15 touchdowns. A one-time national champion at Alabama in 2009, Jones' top season with the Crimson Tide came back in 2010 when he had 78 receptions for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns.
5. Jerry Jeudy (2017-19)
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) against Ole Miss at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday September 28, 2019. Bama533
A three-year player at Alabama from 2017-19 who won a national championship his first year in Tuscaloosa, Jeudy ended his Crimson Tide career with 2,742 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns on 159 receptions. A one-time national champion in 2017, Jeudy's top season in Tuscaloosa was likely his 2018 campaign in which he hauled in 68 receptions for 1,315 yards and a SEC-leading 14 touchdowns.
4. Calvin Ridley (2015-17)
Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 CFP national championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ridley holds a slim lead over Jeudy previously with 2,781 career receiving yards across his three years from 2015-17 in Tuscaloosa, combining that total with 224 receptions and 19 touchdowns. The former Alabama wide receiver had a phenomenal freshman season that was likely his best in Tuscaloosa, leading the SEC with 89 receptions for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns.
3. DJ Hall (2004-07)
September 2, 2006; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Keith Brown (81) celebrates his touchdown over the Hawaii Warriors with fellow Alabama receiver DJ Hall (22) in the second half of action at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated the Hawaii Warriors 25-17. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2006 John David Mercer
A four-year player at Alabama from 2004-07, DJ Hall was the Crimson Tide's all-time leading receiver for multiple years at one point, ending his time in Tuscaloosa with 2,923 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns on 194 receptions. Hall's top season at Alabama is likely a toss-up between his 2006 and 2007 campaign's in which he had 1,000+ yards during both, but if a pick had to be made the former sticks out with a career-high 1,056 yards and five scores on 62 receptions.
2. Amari Cooper (2012-14)
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs after a reception against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama's all-time leading receiver up until recent season's, Amari Cooper ended his three-year career with the Crimson Tide from 2012-14 with a combined 3,463 receiving yards on 228 total receptions, which he also turned into 31 touchdowns. A one-time national champion in 2012, Cooper's best season at Alabama was his 2014 where he led college football with 124 receptions, as well as the SEC with 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns.
1. DeVonta Smith (2017-20)
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The all-time leading receiving in Alabama football history is DeVonta Smith, an accomplished four-year player with the Crimson Tide who amassed 3,965 yards from 2017-20, along with 235 career receptions and 46 touchdowns. Winning two national championships at Alabama in 2017 and 2020, Smith's best season in Tuscaloosa was easily one in which he won the 2020 Heisman Trophy with 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns, leading college football in all three categories.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: DeVonta Smith, Amari Cooper top Alabama all-time leading receivers
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