Rookies have continued to get better and better each season. C.J. Stroud broke a number of rookie records when he joined the league, but are there any others that could potentially be broken this year?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable single-game and season rookie records out there and who broke them.
Most Passing Yards in a Season: Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts (4,374)
- 4,374 — 2012, Andrew Luck
- 4,336 — 2020, Justin Herbert
- 4,051 — 2011, Cam Newton
Luck was a can’t-miss college prospect out of Stanford and lit the NFL world on fire right out of the gate for the Colts. Throwing for over 4,000 passing yards in his first NFL season was extremely impressive and validated all the scouts who had absurdly high grades on the young QB.
Most Passing Yards in a Game: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (470)
Stroud has been sensational this season for the Texans, and Week 9 was a historic performance for the rookie out of Ohio State. The No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft has been everything and more for Houston this season.
470 — C.J. Stroud (11/5/2023)
453 — Marc Bulger (11/10/2022)
441 — Aaron Brooks (12/3/2000)
Most Passing Touchdowns in a Season: Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (31)
- 31 — 2020, Justin Herbert
- 27 — 2018, Baker Mayfield
- 26 — 2012, Russell Wilson; 1998, Peyton Manning
Herbert came into the league being known for his tremendous arm talent, and that certainly was the case in his rookie year. Thirty-one touchdowns in a season is an impressive feat for any quarterback, never mind a rookie.
Most Passing Touchdowns in a Game: 6 Players (5)
- C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11/5/2023)
- Daniel Jones, New York Giants at Washington (12/22/2019)
- Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs (10/8/2017)
- Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles (11/22/2015)
- Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns (11/22/2009)
- Ray Buivid, Chicago Bears at Chicago Cardinals (12/5/1937)
This list is full of longevity, as most of these guys are either long-time NFL players or budding stars.
Most Passing Interceptions in a Season: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (28)
Manning was one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL, but his rookie season is one he would like to forget.
MORE: 12 Longest Field Goals in NFL History
Twenty-eight interceptions in a rookie season is an astronomical number. Manning is a Hall of Fame quarterback, but no doubt about it, he took his lumps in that first year.
Most Passing Interceptions in a Game: Jim Zorn, Seattle Seahawks (6)
Sometimes rookie QBs take their lumps. In the case of Jim Zorn, this happened to be that day for him.
Six interceptions thrown in one game is currently a rookie record and a day that Zorn hopes gets broken. However, Zorn is not alone in the feat, as Lamar McHan and Tom O’Malley are tied with him for this forgettable record.
Most Rushing Yards in a Season: Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams (1,808) and Touchdowns (18)
Eric Dickerson had a dominant rookie season for the Rams. A record-breaker in rushing yards and touchdowns in a first season was just the tip of the iceberg for a Hall of Fame career.
Most Rushing Yards in a Game: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (296)
“AD” was dominant right out of the gate. Right out of college, Adrian Peterson was one of the best NFL running backs of all time. What he was able to do from Day 1 and the impact he made on the game is something that may never be duplicated.
Most Receptions in a Season: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (104)
Triple-digit receptions fresh out of college, Jaylen Waddle was instant offense for the Dolphins in his rookie year. Now that Tyreek Hill is in the fold, Waddle only continues to get advantageous opportunities to feast on secondaries in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Most Receptions in a Game: 3 Players (14)
- Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (9/26/2021)
- Saquon Barkley, New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (9/16/2018)
- Roy Helu Jr., Washington vs. San Francisco 49ers (11/6/2011)
All three of these players being running backs tells you just how much of a safety blanket the position is for a quarterback. With the ability to check the ball down and get positive yards, all three of these backs were able to have record-breaking days.
Most Receiving Yards in a Season: Bill Groman, Houston Oilers (1,473)
The fact that Bill Groman was able to do this in 1960, before really the evolution of the passing game to the level we know it now, is the most impressive part.
MORE: NFL All-Time Receiving Records
Groman broke the rookie receiving yards record on just 72 receptions in 14 games. Dominant rookie season, to say the least.
Most Receiving Yards in a Game: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (266)
Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow are an instant NFL connection, starting back from their days at LSU. Chase was unstoppable that day and continues to be one of the NFL’s best young wide receivers.
OH MY JA'MARR CHASE. ELECTRIC 63-YARD TD.
📺: #CINvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/KwYspR7roj— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Most Receiving Touchdowns in a Season: Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings (17)
No player in the NFL may have made a bigger impact on the league than Randy Moss. From start to finish, he may have been one of the most feared players to ever play the game. Coming straight out of Marshall and scoring 17 touchdowns in his first season was only the beginning of a Hall of Fame career.
Most Receiving Touchdowns in a Game: 2 Players (4)
- Jerry Butler, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets (9/23/1979)
- Harlon Hill, Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (10/31/1954)
With the way the passing game has changed and the young talent that has come into the league as of late, it’s a surprise to see that this record still stands from 1954.
Most Defensive Interceptions in a Season: Dick ‘Night Train’ Lane, Los Angeles Rams (14)
Fourteen receptions in a season — not just as a rookie — is an unbelievable mark. This may be another one of those records that may never be touched. Not just for a rookie, but maybe for anybody.
Most Sacks in a Season: Jevon Kearse, Tennessee Titans (14.5)
Jevon Kearse was dominant in his time with the Titans and made his presence felt from the beginning. During his rookie season, Kearse has a whopping 14.5 sacks, etching his name into the record books.
Most Sacks in a Game: Leslie O’Neal, San Diego Chargers (5.0)
Leslie O’Neal put his thumb on this matchup with the Cowboys and took the game completely over as a rookie. Five sacks in a game would be sensational even for the game’s most elite pass rushers, never mind a rookie.