Who is Tee Higgins? Tee Higgins, born January 18, 1999, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is a standout wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. Known for his impressive college career at Clemson University, Higgins quickly made a name for himself in the NFL after being drafted in 2020. His rookie season saw him tie a Bengals rookie record with 67 receptions. Despite injuries in 2023, Higgins has consistently delivered strong performances, including a memorable Super Bowl LVI appearance. Off the field, he's active in community work and maintains a strong social media presence. Dive into these 50 facts to learn more about his journey and achievements.
Key Takeaways:
- Tee Higgins, a standout athlete from Oak Ridge, Tennessee, made a name for himself in high school and college before becoming a rising star in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Despite facing challenges like injuries and trade rumors, Tee Higgins has proven himself as a key player for the Bengals, making memorable plays and contributing to their success on and off the field.
Early Life and High School
Tee Higgins' journey to the NFL began in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. His early years were marked by his athletic prowess, setting the stage for his future success.
- Tee Higgins was born on January 18, 1999, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
- Oak Ridge High School is where Higgins showcased his talents in both football and basketball.
- Basketball Scholarships: He received multiple offers to play college basketball, highlighting his versatility.
- High School Football: As a senior, he recorded 68 receptions for 1,044 yards and 18 touchdowns.
- Five-Star Recruit: His high school performance earned him a five-star recruit status.
College Career at Clemson
Higgins' decision to play for Clemson University proved pivotal. His college career was filled with highlights and achievements.
- College Commitment: Initially committed to the University of Tennessee, he later chose Clemson University.
- Freshman Year: Played in 13 games with 17 receptions for 345 yards and two touchdowns.
- Sophomore Season: Became a starter, finishing with 59 receptions for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns.
- National Championship: Played a key role in Clemson’s victory over Alabama in the 2018 National Championship.
- Junior Season: Recorded 1,167 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, leading Clemson to the National Championship game against LSU.
Entering the NFL
Higgins' transition to the NFL was marked by his selection in the 2020 draft and an impressive rookie season.
- NFL Draft: Declared for the 2020 NFL draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.
- Draft Selection: Chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals with the first pick in the second round (33rd overall).
- Rookie Season: Finished with 67 receptions for 908 yards and six touchdowns, tying a Bengals rookie record.
- Rookie Record Breaker: Although he tied the record, Ja'Marr Chase broke it the following year.
- Statistical Achievements: Ranked third among all rookie receivers in 2020 with 908 receiving yards.
Rising Star in the NFL
Higgins continued to build on his rookie success, becoming a key player for the Bengals.
- 2021 Season: Recorded 74 receptions for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns.
- Playoff Performance: In the Divisional Round against the Titans, he had seven receptions for 96 yards.
- AFC Championship: Caught six passes for 103 yards, helping the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI.
- Super Bowl LVI: Scored two touchdowns, including a 75-yard pass from Joe Burrow, finishing with four receptions for 100 yards.
- 2022 Season: Despite being overshadowed by Ja'Marr Chase, he recorded another 1,000-yard season with seven touchdowns.
Challenges and Resilience
Higgins faced injuries and trade rumors but remained a crucial part of the Bengals' lineup.
- Injury Issues: His 2023 season was marred by a hamstring injury, affecting his performance.
- Trade Request: Asked for a trade during the 2024 offseason, but the Bengals did not follow through.
- Franchise Tag: Currently playing under the franchise tag while the Bengals decide on his future.
- Career Statistics: As of the end of the 2023 season, he has 295 receptions for 4,173 yards and 28 touchdowns.
- Postseason Performance: In seven postseason games, he has 31 receptions for 457 yards and three touchdowns.
Memorable Moments and Achievements
Higgins has had several standout moments and milestones throughout his career.
- College National Championship: Part of Clemson’s 2018 National Championship team, contributing three receptions for 81 yards.
- Rookie Record Breaker: Tied the Bengals’ rookie reception record in 2020, later broken by Ja'Marr Chase.
- Statistical Consistency: Despite injuries, he has shown consistent performance throughout his career.
- Fantasy Football Rankings: Finished as a top-24 fantasy receiver in 2021.
- Team Leadership: Developed a strong rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow, crucial to the Bengals’ success.
Playmaking and Performance
Known for his playmaking ability, Higgins has made several highlight-reel catches.
- Playmaking Ability: Known for making big plays and highlight-reel catches.
- Injury Impact: Injuries in 2023 significantly affected his performance.
- Recovery Period: Showed flashes of his previous form late in the 2023 season.
- Trade Speculation: Despite his trade request, he remains under the franchise tag.
- Career Milestones: One of the youngest players to reach 1,000 receiving yards in their first two seasons.
Postseason and Super Bowl
Higgins has been a key player in the Bengals' postseason runs, including their Super Bowl appearance.
- Playoff Appearances: Played in multiple playoff games, including the AFC Championship Game in 2021.
- Super Bowl Performance: Scored two touchdowns in Super Bowl LVI, leading all players with 100 receiving yards.
- Receiving Yards Leader: Led all players in Super Bowl LVI with four receptions for 100 yards.
- Target Share: Consistently sees a high target share, indicating his importance in the Bengals’ passing game.
- Yards per Route Run: Averaged 2.43 yards per route run in 2021, one of the highest rates in the NFL.
Statistical Highlights
Higgins' stats reflect his impact on the field, from deep targets to yards after catch.
- Deep Targets: Frequently targeted on deep passes, with 24 deep targets in his rookie season.
- Air Yards: Accumulated 1,262 air yards in his rookie season.
- Yards After Catch (YAC): Recorded 297 YAC in his rookie season.
- Dropped Passes: Dropped only four passes out of 67 receptions in his rookie season.
- Career Highs: Single-season high of 1,091 receiving yards in 2021 and a postseason high of 148 receiving yards in Super Bowl LVI.
Off the Field
Higgins' impact extends beyond the field, involving community work and a strong social media presence.
- Fantasy Rankings: Consistently ranks high in fantasy football, finishing as WR26 in 2022.
- Team Success: His contributions have been crucial to the Bengals’ performance.
- Leadership Role: Takes on a leadership role within the Bengals’ offense.
- Community Involvement: Engages in charity work and youth football camps.
- Social Media Presence: Maintains a significant social media presence, connecting with fans and promoting his brand.
Tee Higgins: A Rising Star
Tee Higgins has quickly become a standout in the NFL. From his high school days in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to his college career at Clemson, and now with the Cincinnati Bengals, his journey is nothing short of impressive. His rookie season set the tone, tying a Bengals rookie record with 67 receptions. Despite injuries in 2023, Higgins has shown resilience, maintaining high performance levels. His chemistry with Joe Burrow and leadership on the field have been crucial for the Bengals. Off the field, Higgins is active in community work, further solidifying his positive reputation. With career stats boasting over 4,000 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns, Higgins is on track for a remarkable career. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see what the future holds for this talented wide receiver. Keep an eye on Tee Higgins—he's just getting started.
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