Former LSU WRs conclude record-breaking NFL season

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

RANKPLAYERTEAMRECEPTIONSYARDSTOUCHDOWNS1Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)Cincinnati Bengals1271,708172Justin Jefferson (LSU)Minnesota Vikings1031,533103Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU)Jacksonville Jaguars871,282104Drake LondonAtlanta Falcons1001,27195Amon-Ra St. BrownDetroit Lions1151,263126Jerry JeudyCleveland Browns901,22947Malik Nabers (LSU)New York Giants1091,20478CeeDee Lamb (La. born)Dallas Cowboys1011,19469Brock BowersLas Vegas Raiders1121,194510Ladd 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. 9, respectively, among NFL rookies since the 1970 merger — including a Jacksonville franchise record for Thomas.

The 2024 draftee duo now gives LSU half of the top 10 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

RANKPLAYERTEAMRECEPTIONSYARDSTOUCHDOWNS1Ja’Marr ChaseBengals1271,708172Justin JeffersonVikings1031,533103Brian Thomas Jr.Jaguars871,282107Malik NabersGiants1091,204771Kayshon BouttePatriots435893318Odell Beckham Jr.Dolphins9550336Terrace Marshall Jr.Raiders3410360D.J. Chark Jr.Chargers4311TOTAL(WRs who finished at LSU)——————4856,44348117Foster MoreauSaints324135380Clyde Edwards-HelaireSaints3240TOTAL(Players who finished at LSU)——————5206,88053211Trey PalmerBuccaneers121721TOTAL(All former LSU players)——————5327,05254

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