Alabama Football: ‘Ten Best Tide WRs of All-Time’ proves Tide is WRU
By Ronald Evans
No. 3 – Julio Jones (2008-2010)
Julio Jones would be rated higher if his NFL career was considered. He was a very good college player who has become a great professional player.
After starting strong in his freshman season with 58 pass receptions, Julio was less productive as a sophomore. In the 2009 championship season, Greg McElroy passed for 2,508 yards. The distribution to receivers was balanced. Julio caught 43 of the Tide’s 198 completions for 596 yards. He was the Tide’s leading receiver but his totals were less because the Tide threw 63 passes to running backs and 30 passes to tight ends.
In the disappointing 2010 season, Julio caught 78 passes for 1,133 yards. The 78 season receptions put Julio at No. 4 in the Crimson Tide Record Book.
His career numbers for the Crimson Tide are 179 receptions (No. 5); 2,653 receiving yards (No. 6) and 15 touchdown receptions (No. 10.)
Julio made many big plays for the Crimson Tide – none bigger than the one below.
What Julio meant for the Alabama Crimson Tide program cannot be overstated. He was Nick Saban’s first elite signee, opening the door for the many who have followed. Julio has said Saban sold him when the Tide coach stated the Crimson Tide would win ‘with or without’ him.