Another recognition for former Alabama standout Julio Jones was achieved Wednesday.
The primary receiver for the Atlanta Falcons made the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2015 list, coming in at No.13. The esteemed annual list compiles the best 100 players in the National Football League, and is voted on solely by the players.
Jones, 26, had a monster year last season, totaling 1,593 yards on a career-high 104 receptions with six touchdowns. He played in 15 games, despite sustaining a knee injury and brought in a team-record 259 receiving yards on 11 catches against the Green Bay Packers.
Jones accounted for 100+ yards receiving in seven games last season. His efforts earned him a second trip to the Pro Bowl in 2014, and first-team All-Pro honors from Sporting News.
Alabama had three other former stars to appear on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2015.
Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker C.J. Mosley was featured at No. 94.
He led the team in tackles last season with 133. Mosley totaled three sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. His performance earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2014, and second-team All-Pro honors. Mosley was named to the league’s All-Rookie Team and was recognized as the AFC North’s Rookie of the Year. He was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy was ranked No. 60.
Lacy is coming off two 1,000-yard rushing seasons. He chimed in with 1,139 rushing yards last year with nine touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry. He tallied 427 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 42 receptions. Lacy was the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2013 by the Associated Press and Pro Football Writers of America.
Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus was listed at No. 53. He put in 48 total tackles and 10 sacks last season. Dareus is a two-time Pro Bowler (2013, 2014), who earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2014. He’s accounted for 28.5 sacks in four seasons with the Bills.
Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
