T.T. Toliver becomes all-time leader in receptions, set to crack all-purpose yards mark

Adam Markowitz
Saturday June 18, 2016

Is there any record T.T. Toliver won't have at the end of his illustrious career? Just a week after he broke the record for the most receiving yards in AFL history, Toliver has added more accolades to his career resume. With his fifth catch of the game on Saturday night, the Tampa Bay Storm man became the all-time leader in receptions in AFL history. He also entered Saturday night just 87 yards shy of Barry Wagner for the most all-purpose yards in AFL history.

Toliver is one of just the five men in League history to top the 1,000-reception mark. He's had his eye on all of Harrell's records all season long, and his game on Saturday night against the Los Angeles KISS was the capper.

Most Receptions in AFL History
T.T. Toliver – 1,166
Damian Harrell – 1,164
Lawrence Samuels – 1,030
Tiger Jones – 1,013
Chris Jackson – 1,004

For my money though, Toliver breaking the all-purpose yardage mark which has been held by Barry Wagner for well over a decade and a half is the most notable record in League history.

Toliver entered this league as a kick returner and a Defensive Specialist, and he's adapted his game to the landscape of the AFL with each passing season. Though Toliver has surely been buoyed by the fact that his last several seasons have come in longer years than Wagner ever played in, that shouldn't take anything away from his accomplishments, especially knowing that he rarely has been the top receiving option on his team in his career. While Wagner was in Orlando, he was always the top receiving threat even though he was playing on both sides of the ball.

Toliver and Wagner are two of the three men AFL history to have at least 10,000 receiving yards and 5,000 return yards (including kick returns and missed field goal returns).

Most All-Purpose Yards in AFL History
Barry Wagner – 21,042
T.T. Toliver – 20,972
Hunkie Cooper – 20,586
George LaFrance – 20,436