Julio Named Top Freshman In America

Alabama freshman wide receiver Julio Jones was selected as the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Freshman of the Year the organization announced on Thursday.

Julio Jones, a native of Foley, produced an amazing rookie campaign at Alabama, setting school freshman records for receptions (51), receiving yards (847) and touchdowns (4). He finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference in receiving yards per game at 65.15 and seventh in catches per contest at 3.92. Jones is also quickly moving up the Tide’s single-season receiving charts, ranking fifth in receiving yards and tied for eighth in receptions.

Just the 11th true freshman to start a season opener for Alabama since freshmen became eligible again by the NCAA in 1972, Jones was also named the AP and Sporting News’ SEC Freshman of the Year while garnering second-team All-SEC honors from the AP, The Sporting News and league coaches.

He had three 100-yard receiving games with 103 yards at Tennessee, a career-best 128 yards at LSU and 124 yards against Florida in the SEC Championship Game. Jones has been at his best against the best, with 21 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns against Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Florida. He has also flourished in hostile environments with 28 receptions for 502 yards away from Bryant-Denny Stadium.