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Former LSU WRs conclude record-breaking NFL season

by:Jerit Roser01/06/25
Syndication: Florida Times-Union
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) rushes for yards during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars held off the Titans 20-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Ja’Marr Chase‘s triple-crown headlined an altogether historic NFL season by former LSU wide receivers and Louisiana natives.

The Tigers entered the final weekend of the regular season already with new records for most receiving yards and touchdowns by alumni of one college program and only further bolstered those marks Saturday and Sunday.

And Chase, former teammate Justin Jefferson and their purple-and-gold proteges Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers — all Louisiana natives — finished near the top of the league rankings to lead an incredible campaign by pass-catchers from The Boot.

Here’s a look at the final numbers.

NFL’S TOP 10 RECEIVERS, RANKED BY YARDAGE

RANKPLAYERTEAMRECEPTIONSYARDSTOUCHDOWNS
1Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)Cincinnati Bengals1271,70817
2Justin Jefferson (LSU)Minnesota Vikings1031,53310
3Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU)Jacksonville Jaguars871,28210
4Drake LondonAtlanta Falcons1001,2719
5Amon-Ra St. BrownDetroit Lions1151,26312
6Jerry JeudyCleveland Browns901,2294
7Malik Nabers (LSU)New York Giants1091,2047
8CeeDee Lamb (La. born)Dallas Cowboys1011,1946
9Brock BowersLas Vegas Raiders1121,1945
10Ladd McConkeyLos Angeles Chargers821,1497

Chase, the former Archbishop Rummel star, became the youngest player since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to lead the league in all three major receiving categories in the same season.

His totals all marked Cincinnati Bengals records — his touchdowns matching a previous record — and finished in the top 15 of the NFL’s all-time single-season lists: No. 6 in touchdowns, No. 9 in touchdowns and No. 14 in yardage.

Jefferson and Thomas — who prepped at Destrehan and Walker, respectively, before LSU — finished No. 2 and No. 3 in yardage this season.

Jefferson and Thomas tied for No. 6 in touchdowns and finished No. 6 and No. 16, respectively, in receptions — each among the league’s most explosive yards-per-catch averages.

Jefferson has now accounted for three of the Minnesota Vikings’ top four receiving seasons, including his franchise-record 1,809 yards in 2022.

His third 1,500-yard season ties four other receivers for second-most in a career, behind only Jerry Rice’s four. Prior to Jefferson’s arrival, only Randy Moss had reached the 1,500-yard mark in a Vikings uniform with his 1,632 in 2003.

Nabers, out of Comeaux and Southside high schools, finished No. 5 in receptions, No. 7 in yards and No. 21 in touchdowns.

His 109 receptions marks a New York Giants franchise record and an NFL rookie record.

Thomas and Nabers’ yardage totals rank No. 7 and No. 8, respectively, among NFL rookies since the 1970 merger — including a Jacksonville franchise record for Thomas.

The 2024 draftee duo now gives LSU five of the top eight all-time rookie receiving list with Chase (No. 2, 1,455 yards in 2021), Jefferson (No. 3, 1,400 in 2020) and Odell Beckham Jr. (No. 6, 1,305 in 2014).

In addition to the heavy LSU contingent, another Louisiana-born player, Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb, finished No. 7 in receptions and No. 8 in yardage this season.

The former Oklahoma star was born in Opelousas and spent his childhood in New Orleans before his family moved to Texas after Hurricane Katrina.

FORMER LSU TIGERS’ 2024 RECEIVING TOTALS

RANKPLAYERTEAMRECEPTIONSYARDSTOUCHDOWNS
1Ja’Marr ChaseBengals1271,70817
2Justin JeffersonVikings1031,53310
3Brian Thomas Jr.Jaguars871,28210
7Malik NabersGiants1091,2047
71Kayshon BouttePatriots435893
318Odell Beckham Jr.Dolphins9550
336Terrace Marshall Jr.Raiders3410
360D.J. Chark Jr.Chargers4311
TOTAL(WRs who finished at LSU)——————4856,44348
117Foster MoreauSaints324135
380Clyde Edwards-HelaireSaints3240
TOTAL(Players who finished at LSU)——————5206,88053
211Trey PalmerBuccaneers121721
TOTAL(All former LSU players)——————5327,05254

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