T.J. Hockenson sets NFL record with impressive rookie debut

T.J. Hockenson is off to a roaring start with the Detroit Lions.

Hockenson was taken by the Lions at No. 8 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Billed as a complete tight end, Hockenson has not disappointed early on.

In fact, he has set an NFL record in his first regular-season action. According to the Detroit Lions PR account, Hockenson’s 124 receiving yards is the most by a tight end in his debut. He passes a record set by Monty Stickles set in 1960.

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Hockenson has five catches for 124 yards and a score in his first regular-season game. He may even get a chance to add to that total as Detroit is still in action. Anyone wondering if he would be used in Detroit’s offense early on now has a resounding answer:

#Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (@TheeHOCK8) has set an @NFL record for receiving yards in a tight end's first game with 124 yards, passing 49ers TE Monty Stickles' previous record of 123 receiving yards, which he set on Sept. 25, 1960.#OnePride

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 8, 2019

Detroit’s PR account also indicated that Hockenson is just the second Lions player to eclipse 100 yards receiving in his first game. Certainly a memorable debut for the Hawkeye:

#Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (@TheeHOCK8) has topped the 100-yard mark in his @NFL debut.

He is only the 2nd player in franchise history to top 100 yards in his debut, joining WR Earl McCullouch, who had 132 yards in his debut at Dallas on Sept. 15, 1968.#OnePride

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) September 8, 2019

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.