Julio Jones
Quintorris Lopez "Julio" Jones Jr. (/ˈhuːlioʊ/ HOO-lee-oh; born February 8, 1989)[1] is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2011 NFL draft. He is regarded as one of the greatest receivers of the 2010s.[2]
After a productive rookie season, Jones recorded 1,198 receiving yards and ten touchdowns in 2012 and was named to his first Pro Bowl. After an injury-plagued 2013 season where he only played five games, Jones led the Falcons in receiving yards in 2014, and made his second Pro Bowl, beginning to develop a deep chemistry with team quarterback Matt Ryan.[3][4] Jones broke out the next season, leading the league in receiving yards and co-leading in receptions, both of his statistics ranking top five all-time in a season. After this season, he was named to his first All-Pro selection. In 2016, Jones again had a productive year, garnering another All-Pro selection, and helped to lead the Falcons to Super Bowl LI. Over the next three seasons, Jones amassed 4,515 yards, the most by any player during that span, including leading the league again in yards in 2018.
Jones has amassed the most receiving yards by any player since entering the league,[5] and more than any receiver in the 2010s, with 12,125 yards during that span.[6] In doing so, Jones was invited to seven Pro Bowls, including six consecutive from 2014 to 2019, was a first-team All-Pro selection twice and was named second-team All-Pro three times.
Jones has been noted for having a rare combination of size (6 ft 3 in and 220 lbs), speed (40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds), catching ability, strength, leaping ability, and body control, which has drawn frequent comparisons to Calvin Johnson.[7][8] On November 11, 2018, Jones became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards.[9] On September 15, 2019, Jones became the all-time career receiving yards leader for the Falcons.[10] On October 5, 2020, Jones became the all-time career receptions leader for the Falcons. His career average of 87.9 receiving yards per game is the second highest in NFL history, and as of 2022, he is tied for third all-time in career games with 100-yards receiving with 59 career games.[11][12] After another injury-plagued 2020 season, Jones was traded to the Tennessee Titans in 2021 after reported disgruntlement with Atlanta's new front office.[13] After being released by the Titans in 2022, Jones signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles before being released at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
Early life[edit]
Julio Jones was born on February 8, 1989, as Quintorris Lopez Jones in Foley, Alabama, U.S. His mother, Queen Marvin, raised him and his brother alone, since his father left him when Jones was just 5 years old.[14][15] Jones grew up in a violent neighborhood.[16] Jones attended Foley High School in Foley, Alabama, where he played wide receiver for the Lions high school football team.[17] During his high school career, Jones quickly achieved recognition. In his junior year, he caught 75 passes for 1,306 yards and had 16 touchdowns. People referred to him as "Waffle House" because he was always open.[18] He participated in the high school Under Armour All-America Game.[19]
In addition to football, Jones was a starter on the basketball team and was a standout track athlete.[20] He was the state champion in the long jump (24–2 or 7.40m) and triple jump (47–5 or 14.52m) in both 2006 and 2007. He was named the 2006–07 Gatorade T&F Athlete of the Year in the state of Alabama.[21] He was the state champion in the high jump (6–6 or 1.98m) during the 2007 indoor season. He was named All-county selection in 2005, 2006, and 2007. He won Mr. Alabama Track & Field athlete of the year in 2007. He also competed as a sprinter in 2008 and posted a personal-best time of 11.13 seconds in the 100-meter dash at the Class 6A Section 1 Meet, where he placed second.[22]
Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com,[23] Jones was listed as the No. 1 wide receiver in the nation in 2008.[24] On February 6, 2008, Jones committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide on National Signing Day, announcing his decision live on ESPNU.[25]
College career[edit]
2008 season[edit]
In the first of three years on the Crimson Tide, Jones quickly became an impact player and a fan favorite under head coach Nick Saban.[26][27] Jones became the first true freshman wide receiver ever to start in a season opener for the Crimson Tide,[28] starting against the Clemson Tigers in the 2008 Chick-fil-A College Kickoff; Jones caught four passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in a 34–10 rout.[29] In a 41–30 win over the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs, Jones had a breakout performance, catching five passes for 94 yards including a 22-yard touchdown reception from John Parker Wilson.[30][31] His first 100-yard receiving game occurred in the annual rivalry game versus Tennessee, when he had six receptions for 103 yards en route to a 29–9 victory.[32] Two weeks later, versus #16 LSU, Jones topped his previous performance with seven catches for 128 yards.[33] His 23-yard reception in overtime set up a game-winning touchdown by John Parker Wilson,[34] giving Alabama a 27–21 victory.[35] In the 2008 SEC Championship Game, Jones caught five passes for 124 yards.[36] In the first quarter, Jones caught a 64-yard pass which set up the Crimson Tide's first score of the game.[37] However, #1 Alabama fell to No. 2 Florida by a score of 31–20, the Tide's first loss of the year.[38] Jones finished his freshman season leading all receivers for the Crimson Tide with 58 receptions for 924 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.[39][40]
On December 8, the Southeastern Conference announced the annual All-SEC first-team, second-team, and individual awards, as voted by the Associated Press. Jones was selected to the second-team All-SEC and named as the SEC Freshman of the Year.[41] His performance in his freshman year drew comparisons to NFL greats. ESPN.com reported, "This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed, and agility. He reminds us of a high school version of Michael Irvin, but at this stage Jones is more explosive and faster."[42] An NFL scout put Jones in the same category as Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who at the time was the second-leading receiver in the NFL.[43]
2009 season[edit]
After experiencing what some writers called a "sophomore slump" during a slow first half to the season,[44][45] Jones's production increased during the second half of the 2009 season. In a rivalry game against #9 LSU, Jones finished with four catches for 102 yards, including a 73-yard game-winning touchdown in Alabama's 24–15 victory.[46] In the annual Iron Bowl game against rival Auburn, Jones helped in capping a come-from-behind victory, catching three third-down passes in an 8-minute, 80-yard drive that fans call "The Drive" to set up running back Roy Upchurch's game-winning touchdown in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.[47] Alabama continued through the regular season undefeated at 12–0, working their way to an SEC Championship matchup with the #1 Florida Gators. Jones made the first catch of the game, an 18-yard catch from McElroy.[48] The Crimson Tide won the game 32–13,[49] earning a chance to play for the BCS National Championship in the 2010 title game against the #2 Texas Longhorns.[50][51] His 23 yards receiving led the Tide in the title game, as the passing game struggled.[52] However, the running game again took over for 205 total rushing yards and led Alabama to a 37–21 victory.[53][54]