For the first time in NFL history, four rookies totaled over 1,000 receiving yards. Three out of four were coached by LSU’s [autotag]Cortez Hankton.[/autotag]
The Tigers’ co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, Hankton mentored [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] (1,140) and [autotag]Brian Thomas[/autotag] (1,179) during their years in Baton Rouge. He also worked with Ladd McConkey (1,054) while they both were at Georgia.
The Baton Rouge, LA native joined the staff for his hometown team in 2022. In his second year, Nabers and Thomas combined for 2,746 and 31 touchdowns, making them the top receiving duo in the country. Nabers led all receivers in three categories during 2023 — receiving yards per game (120.7), plays of 20-plus (34) and 30-plus (17) yards. Thomas led the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns in a breakout 2023 season
Their standout performances lead to both being selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers was the No. 6 pick to the New York Giants and Thomas was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with pick No. 23. Both helped the Tigers offense lead the nation in scoring (45.5) and top the 500-yard mark nine times.
Hankton also spent four years in Athens, GA and was a part of the Bulldogs’ 2022 National Championship team. McConkey played under him for three seasons, totaling 1,687 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
Having just finished his third season with the Tigers, Hankton will continue having a large impact in the day-to-day planning of the offense as well as on the recruiting trail. Kyren Lacy just departed for the NFL Draft and the Tigers brought in Nic Anderson and Barion Brown from the transfer portal as they look to reload at the position.