Julio Jones

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Jones arrived at the Falcons after a decorated high school career in Foley, Alabama, where he was a state champion in track and field events including the long jump and triple jump. At Alabama under Nick Saban, he won a national championship in 2009 and set multiple school records before declaring for the draft. The Falcons traded five picks to acquire him, making him the earliest drafted receiver in franchise history. His rookie season was productive, followed by a breakout 2014 campaign where he led the league in receiving yards, beginning his deep chemistry with quarterback Matt Ryan.

In Their Own Story

On November 11, 2018, Jones made history by becoming the fastest player ever to reach 10,000 career receiving yards. Two years later, on October 5, 2020, he surpassed all predecessors to become the Falcons' all-time leader in career receptions. His physical dominance was evident throughout his tenure; standing at 6 ft 3 in and 220 lbs with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, he drew frequent comparisons to Calvin Johnson. Despite injury-plagued seasons in 2013 and 2020, Jones remained the league's most productive receiver during his peak years, amassing 4,515 yards over a three-season span that included leading the league again in 2018. His career average of 87.9 receiving yards per game stands as the sixth-highest in NFL history.

Reader's Guide

Jones' path to stardom began at Foley High School, where he earned the nickname "Waffle House" for his consistent availability and performance. As a five-star recruit, he committed to Alabama on National Signing Day in 2008. His professional journey saw him accumulate more receiving yards than any receiver in the 2010s, totaling 12,125 yards during that decade. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and named first-team All-Pro twice, with three additional second-team selections. After a trade to the Tennessee Titans in 2021 following reported disgruntlement with Atlanta's new front office, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles before being released at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Did You Know?

• Jones became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 career receiving yards on November 11, 2018.
• He holds a career average of 87.9 receiving yards per game, which is the sixth-highest in NFL history.
• During his high school track career, he won state championships in both the long jump and triple jump in both 2006 and 2007.
• As of 2025, he is tied for third all-time in career games with 100 yards receiving with 59 such games.
• He was named to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2019.