Alabama Football News

Alabama Crimson Tide: Top 10 Wide Receivers of All-Time

by
Stephen M. Smith
May 24, 2014

Dynamic duos have shaped American culture. As children, we idolized Bateman and Robin while eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

In college football, the best relationship is between a quarterback and his receiver. Receivers depend on quarterbacks to get them the ball. Quarterbacks depend on receivers to get open and make huge plays. When both positions work together, it becomes a nightmare for defenses.

Aside from running backs, Alabama keeps talented receivers in its arsenal. From David Palmer to Amari Cooper, the Crimson Tide has produced some of the best receivers in college football. Here is a list of the best play makers Alabama’s had at the wide receiver position.

Top 10 Wide Receivers of All-Time

10. Kevin Lee (1990-93)

For his career, Lee had 60 catches for 1,093 yards and three touchdowns.
His best season was in 1993.
In 1993, Lee totaled 26 receptions for 510 yards and a touchdown.
Under head coach Gene Stallings, Lee appeared in four bowl games for Alabama.
Lee won an SEC title with the Crimson Tide in 1992.
He won a national title with Alabama in 1993 (1992 season).

9. Amari Cooper (2012-present)

Cooper emerged on the scene for Alabama as a freshman in 2012.
His breakout game was against Mississippi.
Cooper recorded eight catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
He finished his freshman campaign with 59 receptions for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Cooper’s 59 receptions put him tied for sixth best in program history.
His 1,000 yards receiving is fourth best in school history.
In 2013, Cooper amassed 45 receptions for 736 yards and four touchdowns.
Currently, Cooper has 104 receptions for 1,736 yards and 15 touchdowns for his career.
He won an SEC title with the Tide in 2012.
Cooper won a national title with Alabama in 2013 (2012 season).

8. Freddie Milons (1998-01)

In his tenure at Alabama, Milons put in 152 catches for 1,859 yards and six touchdowns.
His most prolific seasons were in 1999 and 2001.
In 1999, Milons had 65 receptions for 733 yards and two touchdowns.
As a senior (2001), he recorded 36 catches for 626 yards and three touchdowns.
Milons totaled 43 returns for 431 yards and two touchdowns in his career.
He helped Alabama notch a 10-3 season in 1999.
Milons went to three bowl games with the Tide (1998, 1999 and 2001 seasons).
He was an SEC champion in 1999.

7. Tyrone Prothro (2003-05)

Prothro was an all-purpose player in his time at Alabama.
As a receiver, he had 58 receptions for 863 yards and five touchdowns.
On special teams, Prothro recorded 29 returns for 774 yards and a touchdown.
His best season receiving was in 2005.
In 2005, Prothro grabbed 17 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
He had 17 returns for 452 yards and a touchdown in 2004.
Prothro’s most memorable play was the catch he made in 2005 against Southern Mississippi.
His catch propelled Alabama to a 30-21 victory against the Golden Eagles.
Prothro helped the Crimson Tide achieve a 10-2 season in 2005.
He was named First-team All-SEC in 2005.
Prothro won an award for Best Play at the 2006 ESPY Awards.
He took home the Pontiac Game Changing Award of the Year in 2006.
Prothro’s catch has been rated by The Best Damn Sports Show Period as the Eighth Greatest Catch of All-Time.

6. Kevin Norwood (2009-13)

Norwood was the definition of “Mr. Clutch” at Alabama.
He totaled 81 catches for 1,275 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career.
Norwood’s finest seasons were in 2012 and 2013.
In 2012, he had 29 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns.
Norwood grabbed 38 passes for 568 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013.
He came up huge in big games, especially against LSU.
Norwood caught four passes for 78 yards in the 2012 BCS title game against the Tigers.
He had five receptions for 62 yards in the 2013 regular season matchup against LSU.
Norwood is a two-time SEC champion (2009 and 2012 seasons).
He is a three-time BCS champion (2009, 2011 and 2013 seasons).

5. Al Bell (1985)

Bell was a transfer who made an impact on the team in 1985.
He had four receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns in Alabama’s 20-16 comeback victory against Georgia.
In the 1985 Iron Bowl, Bell totaled four receptions for 92 yards and helped set up the game-winning field goal from Van Tiffin. The Crimson Tide defeated Auburn 25-23.
Under head coach Ray Perkins, Bell helped Alabama notch a 9-2-1 record and a berth in the Aloha Bowl in 1985.
Alabama defeated Southern California 24-3 in the Aloha Bowl.

4. Don Hutson (1931-1934)

Under head coach Frank Thomas, Hutson was All-American and a national champion in 1934.
Hutson was credited with creating many of the modern passing routes used in the National Football League today.
He was one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.
Hutson is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

3. Joey Jones (1980-83)

For his career, Jones had 71 receptions for 1,386 yards and 15 touchdowns.
He ranks third among Alabama’s career touchdown receivers and seventh in career receiving yards.
Jones was named All-SEC in 1983.
He was a member of the University of Alabama’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s.
Jones made four bowl appearances with the Crimson Tide.

2. Julio Jones (2008-10)

Jones ushered in the big play, physical receiver to Alabama.
He totaled 179 receptions for 2,653 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career.
Jones had eight career 100-yard receiving games (second in school history).
His best seasons were in 2008 and 2010.
As a freshman, Jones recorded 58 catches for 924 yards and four touchdowns.
In his senior season, he had 78 catches for 1,133 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jones put in two rushing touchdowns in his career.
He was named First-team All-SEC in 2010.
Jones was an SEC champion in 2009.
He was a national champion (2009 season).
Jones made three bowl appearances with Alabama.

1A. Ozzie Newsome “The Wizard of Oz” (1974-1977)

For his career, Newsome recorded 102 catches for 2,070 yards and 16 touchdowns
His most prolific season was in 1976.
In 1976, Newsome had 25 receptions for 529 yards and six touchdowns.
He assisted Alabama to a 42-6 overall record in his four seasons.
Newsome was a two-time All-SEC member (1976-77).
He was named Alabama Player of the Decade for the 1970s.
Newsome was known for his great hands, concentration and leadership.
He was three-time SEC champion (1974, 1975 and 1977)
Newsome made four bowl appearance with Alabama
He is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

1. David Palmer “The Deuce” (1991-93)
1. Palmer defined versatility at Alabama.
2. He played receiver, running back, quarterback and return specialist.
3. As a receiver, Palmer had 102 catches for 1,611 yards and 11 touchdowns for his career.
4. He totaled 86 carries for 598 yards and a touchdown as a running back.
5. Palmer completed 75 percent of his passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns as a quarterback.
6. He amassed 119 returns for 1,706 yards and four touchdowns on special teams.
7. Palmer’s finest season was in 1993.
8. In 1993, he had 61 receptions for 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns.
9. Palmer was a consensus All-American in 1993.
10. He finished third in the Heisman voting in 1993.
11. Palmer won an SEC title in 1992.
12. He won a national title in 1993 (1992 season).