Sports
Sports

ESPN names Georgia Tech ‘Best Wide Receiver Factory’ for NFL

Tech's Demaryius Thomas (8) runs past Duke's Scott Elder (24) for a touchdown in the 4th quarter during the Georgia Tech vs. Duke game on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Credit: JOHNNY CRAWFORD

Credit: JOHNNY CRAWFORD

Tech's Demaryius Thomas (8) runs past Duke's Scott Elder (24) for a touchdown in the 4th quarter during the Georgia Tech vs. Duke game on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
By Juliakate E Culpepper
April 25, 2017

Georgia Tech has been named the NFL's Best Wide Receiver Factory by ESPN.

The Yellow Jackets ranked in front of Alabama and Pittsburgh respectively.

“Georgia Tech’s duo of Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas have a combined 10 Pro Bowls in their 16 total NFL seasons, giving the Yellow Jackets the top spot ahead of Alabama,” the list said.

Johnson, a retired Detroit Lion, played at Georgia Tech from 2004-2006 and totaled 2,927 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns. Thomas, a Super Bowl winning Denver Bronco, played at Tech from 2007-2009 and accounted for 2,339 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.

The bottom three schools for producing NFL wide receivers were Oklahoma, Southern California and Michigan State, according to ESPN.

Some of the other “Best Factories” for the NFL include:

  • Best Quarterback Factory- Southern California
  • Best Running Back Factory- Oklahoma
  • Best Tight End Factory- Miami
  • Best Offensive Line Factory- Wisconsin
  • Best Defensive Line Factory- North Carolina
  • Best Linebacker Factory- Southern California
  • Best Defensive Back Factory- Miami

About the Author

Juliakate E Culpepper
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner (42) fights for possession during the first half of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff game against the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Atlanta.  (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

‘Whole new ballgame’: Dream’s defense cools down Fever in Game 1 win

Second and fourth quarters prove to be the difference in first playoff win in seven years.

Dream’s mission continues: Defeat the Fever, avoid do-or-die Game 3

With semifinals within reach, Atlanta seeks to handle business Tuesday in Indiana instead of risking a winner-take-all game back home.

Howard, Gray help Dream open playoffs the right way

The Latest

The Atlanta Dream logo is seen on display on the center court at the Gateway Center Arena before the first-round playoff game between the Atlanta Dream and the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Dream’s mission continues: Defeat the Fever, avoid do-or-die Game 3

Atlanta TV sports listings

‘Whole new ballgame’: Dream’s defense cools down Fever in Game 1 win

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.