Mississippi has produced several good quarterbacks and running backs that have moved on to become great players in the NFL. While Mississippi may not have a huge list of running backs that moved on to great things in the NFL, the state can claim one of the best.
Mississippi has produced a plethora of wide receivers from the college ranks into the NFL. Some of the best wide receivers have come from Mississippi. Including, one receiver that could be argued as the best wide out ever in NFL history.
Here is a look at some of the best ever wide outs from Mississippi. Once again in no particular order and the team they are known for best listed.
Jerome Barkum: New York Jets via Jackson State Tigers
Jerome Barkum played for Jackson State from 1968-71 and is one of the best receivers to play for the Tigers. Even now Barkum’s name is in the JSU record book for his pass catching ability.
Barkum ranks third all time in receiving yardage with 2,130 yards, fourth in passes caught with 128 and third in touchdowns with 27 in JSU history.
The New York Jets drafted Barkum in the first round with the ninth pick in the 1972 draft. Barkum would go on to play 12 seasons with the Jets. Barkum would play both wide receiver and tight end for the Jets.
Barkum is still in the Jets record book to this day. Barkum is eighth in receiving yards with 4,789, eighth in receptions with 326, and fourth in touchdown receptions with 40.
Barkum was selected to one Pro Bowl in 1972 as a wide receiver.
(Note: I selected Barkum for the best receivers and not tight ends because he made the Pro Bowl as a receiver.)
Willie Richardson: Baltimore Colts via Jackson State Tigers
Willie Richardson played for Jackson State from 1959-62. During his time with the Tigers Richardson was the best wide out in JSU history.
Richardson still ranks first in receiving yards with 3,616, and touchdown receptions with 36 in JSU history. Richardson is second all time in receptions with 171 in Tigers history.
In 1963 Richardson was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round with the 89th pick. While Richardson is no longer in the top ten of the Colts record books. He did have a very good career as a pro football player.
Richardson finished his career with 2,950 receiving yards, 195 receptions, and 25 touchdowns.
Richardson was honored in his career making two Pro Bowls (1967, 1968) and being selected 1st Team All-Pro in 1967 as well.
Louis Lipps: Pittsburgh Stealers via Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
Louis Lipps played for Southern Mississippi from 1980-83. Lipps was a great punt returner for the Eagles as well. Lipps was named to the Southern Mississippi Team of the Century as a wide receiver.
The Stealers drafted Lipps in the first round with the 23rd pick in the 1984 draft. Lipps joined the Stealers as most of their great players from the 1970s were retiring. Lipps was still able to learn from Stealers great John Stallworth. Stallworth took Lipps under his wing and roomed with Lipps his rookie season.
Lipps still ranks in the Stealers record books as one of the top wide receivers in a franchise that has seen several great wide outs. Lipps still ranks third all time in receiving yards with 6,018 and in receptions with 336 in Pittsburgh history. Lipps still ranks fifth all time in touchdown receptions with 39.
Lipps was selected to two Pro Bowls (1984, 1985) and once picked All-Pro (1985). Plus Lipps was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the year (1984) in a very good pro football career.
Eric Moulds: Buffalo Bill via Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State had a stand out wide out from 1993-95 in the form of Eric Moulds. In his three seasons with the Bulldogs Moulds was able to add his name to the school’s record books.
Moulds is third all time in receiving yards with 2,022 yards, fifth in receptions with 118, and tied for first in touchdown caught with 17. In 1994 Moulds led the NCAA D I-A in kickoff return leader with a 32.8 yards per return average.
The Buffalo Bills picked Moulds in the 1995 draft with the 24th overall pick in the first round. In his NFL career Moulds went on to be one of the best wide receivers in the history of pro football.
Moulds is an all time leader in the NFL ranking 32nd in receiving yards with 9,995 yards, tied for 25th in receptions with 764 in NFL history. Moulds also scored 49 touchdowns in his career as well.
Moulds’ was selected to three Pro Bowls (1998, 2000, and 2002) in 12 years in the NFL.
Donald Driver: Green Bay Packers via Alcorn State Braves
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