 | Jeremy Maclin (WR) |
In just two seasons at Missouri, Maclin established himself as one of college football's most dangerous offensive threats. Whether lining up in the slot, at split end, flanker or coming out of the backfield, the talented sophomore's vision and superb quickness forced the defense to account for him on every play.
In addition to his exploits as the team's clutch receiver and third-down specialist (22 of his 55 first-down catches in 2008 came on third-down snaps), Maclin also provided Tiger fans with the opportunity of seeing one of the most explosive kickoff and punt returners in the collegiate game. He would go on to be the only player in school history to score on a reception, a rushing attempt, a punt return and kickoff return.
All told, Maclin found the end zone a total of 32 times in 28 contests. He is just the third player in NCAA history to average more than 200 all-purpose yards per game during a career (202.36 ypg). His 2,776 all-purpose yards in 2007 set a major college single-season record for freshmen. The following season, he became the sixth player in NCAA annals to amass more than 2,800 all-purpose yards in a season (2,833).
Maclin's 1,346 yards in total kick returns in 2007 was two yards shy of the NCAA single-season record. He joined Derek Abney of Kentucky (2000-03) as the only major college players to ever gain more than 2,000 yards receiving and more than 2,000 yards in kickoff returns during a career, with Maclin accomplishing that feat in only two seasons.
Maclin's average of 73.18 yards per game gained on kickoff returns is the best since Steve Odom of Utah set the NCAA record (78.24 ypg, 1971-73). In addition to that kickoff return average, the multi-talented athlete averaged 82.68 yards per game receiving, 20.61 yards on punt returns and 23.86 yards rushing during his time with the Tigers.
At Kirkwood High School, Maclin was an outstanding two-sport athlete who was considered the top wide receiver and one of the top overall prospects to come out of the state of Missouri in 2006. The star receiver, safety and punt returner was ranked as the nation's 24th-best wide receiver prospect by Rivals.com and was listed as the third-best overall prospect in Missouri by the same outlet.
He earned first-team All-State honors as a receiver in 2005, after catching 41 passes for 1,042 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 25.4 yards per catch. He also carried the ball 36 times for 293 yards and four scores, adding two more touchdowns throwing the ball. He proved to be a dangerous return man, as he took 11 punts back for an average of 24.6 yards per return, with one going for a touchdown.
On defense, Maclin was named All-Conference as a safety, as he notched 55 tackles and added four interceptions, including one that he returned for a score. As a junior, he earned first-team All-State honors, as he caught 58 passes for 1,184 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for two scores and also returning one kickoff for a touchdown. He also added 59 tackles and six interceptions. Maclin was a second-team All-Conference pick as a sophomore, catching 33 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns, as he also averaged 25 yards per punt return and 30 yards per kickoff return that year.
Maclin was also a standout on the hardwood, as he averaged 11.2 points, 4.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game for Kirkwood's basketball team. He was an honorable-mention All-State and first-team All-Conference guard as a junior, averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and 4.1 steals per game.
After red-shirting in 2006 at Missouri, Maclin burst onto the scene in 2007, becoming the first freshman in school history to earn All-American first-team honors. He set the NCAA freshman single-season record with 2,776 all-purpose yards, scoring a total of 16 times on 199 touches.
He was second on the squad with 80 receptions for 1,055 yards (13.2 avg) and nine scores, adding 375 yards and four touchdowns on 51 carries (7.4 avg), two more scores with a 12.3-yard average on 25 punt returns and averaged 24.2 yards on 43 kickoff returns, including another touchdown.
In 2008, Maclin continued his assault on the school, Big 12 Conference and NCAA record books. The All-American first-team choice was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver. He became the sixth player in league history to catch more than 100 passes (102) in a season, gaining 1,260 yards (12.4 avg) with 13 touchdowns.
Maclin was second on the team with 293 yards and two scores on 40 carries (7.3 avg) and tallied 270 yards on 23 punt returns (11.7 avg) that included another score. With his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, he became the first Big 12 player to score on a kickoff return, punt return, rushing attempt and reception in more than one season. He would also become only the second major college player to gain more than 1,000 kickoff return yards (1,010) in back-to-back seasons.
High School
Attended Kirkwood (Mo.) High School, playing football for head coach Larry Frost...Considered the top wide receiver, and one of the top overall prospects to come out of the state of Missouri in 2006...The star receiver, safety and punt returner was ranked as the nation's 24th-best wide receiver prospect by Rivals.com and was listed as the third-best overall prospect in Missouri by the same outlet...Earned first-team All-State honors as a receiver in 2005, after catching 41 passes for 1,042 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 25.4 yards per catch...Also carried the ball 36 times for 293 yards and four scores, adding two more touchdowns throwing the ball...Proved to be a dangerous return man, as he took 11 punts back for an average of 24.6 yards per return, with one going for a touchdown...On defense, Maclin was named All-Conference as a safety, as he notched 55 tackles and added four interceptions, including one that he returned for a score...As a junior, he earned first-team All-State honors, as he caught 58 passes for 1,184 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for two scores and also returning one kickoff for a touchdown...Added 59 tackles and six interceptions...Second-team All-Conference pick as a sophomore, catching 33 passes for 356 yards and four touchdowns, as he also averaged 25 yards per punt return and 30 yards per kickoff return that year...Standout on the hardwood, as he averaged 11.2 points, 4.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game for Kirkwood's basketball team...Honorable-mention All-State and first-team All-Conference guard as a junior, averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and 4.1 steals per game.
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