New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who played at Norcross High and was the AJC high school player of the year in 2012, was named the NFL rookie of the year Friday.

Kamara, who was drafted in the third round after playing at Alabama and Tennessee, led all rookies with 14 touchdowns and ranked second with 1,554 yards from scrimmage.

Kamara joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers (1965) as the only rookies in NFL history to have at least five rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns and a kickoff-return touchdown.

Kamara led all rookies with 81 receptions, the third-most by a rookie running back in NFL history.

Carolina running back Christian McCaffrey, Kansas City running back Kareem Hunt, Jacksonville running back Leonard Fournette and New Orleans cornerback Marshon Lattimore were the other finalists for the award.

December 15, 2012 - Atlanta, Ga: Norcross running back Alvin Kamara (6) runs for yardage after a handoff by quarterback Joseph Wilber, center, during Norcross's 4th quarter rally of their 21-14 win over Lovejoy in the Class AAAAAA High School Football Final at the Georgia Dome Saturday night in Atlanta, Ga., December 15, 2012. JASON GETZ / JGETZ@AJC.COM

Credit: Jason Getz / AJC

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Credit: Jason Getz / AJC