All Trojans

Amon-Ra St. Brown On Pace To Be First USC Trojan To Lead NFL In Impressive Stat

Detroit Lions' wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is once again off to a blazing start to the NFL season. The former USC standout is on pace to accomplish something no other Trojan receiver has ever done in the NFL.
Kyron Samuels|
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) answers a question after practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) answers a question after practice during training camp at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Saturday, July 26, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Detroit LionsUSC Trojans

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been as imposing of a force as there has been in the past two seasons in the NFL.

The former USC Trojan standout has been statistically dominant to begin his career, leading the NFL in touchdowns, second in touchdowns, and fourth in yards since the beginning of the 2023 season. When you’re as accomplished as St. Brown is, milestones come in droves.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau
Sep 7, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

However, there’s one unique statistical accomplishment that St. Brown, and no other USC Trojan wide receiver alum, has ever achieved: outright leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns. St. Brown has been close, including last season, but has never quite gotten over the hump. This season, three games in, St. Brown leads the NFL with four receiving touchdowns.

Former USC player Lynn Swann is the closest Trojan to reach this milestone, having tied the league lead in 1975 with 11 touchdown receptions. Could this be the year that St. Brown makes Trojan history? He'll have steep competition from the likes of fellow wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nakua, Davante Adams, and others, but St. Brown is firmly in the hunt as his target share will keep him with steady opportunity.


St. Brown is on pace to accomplish that elusive outright lead, but he also is aiming to become the first USC Trojan wide receiver to earn three consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. Additionally, a Pro Bowl selection this season would also mark St. Brown’s fourth consecutive appearance.

Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit Lions. Jared Goff. USC Trojans. NFL Wide Receiver. Touchdown. NFC North. Ja'Marr Chase. AJ Brown.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) makes a catch for a first down against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

MORE: Why USC's Top Linebacker Recruit Could Be Future Face of Trojans' Defense

MORE: USC Coach Lincoln Riley Quietly Escaping Hot Seat Allegations with Trojans

MORE: Caleb Williams Returns To USC Heisman Form In NFL Leading Stat

“It’s his toughness, his motor, blocking, route-running, yards after catch – he goes 100% at it. Props to him and the way he plays because I think it’s kind of rare at the receiver position to approach the game the way he does,” Baltimore Ravens All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton said of St. Brown.

St. Brown’s connection with quarterback Jared Goff and the trust coach Dan Campbell has in him is apparent any time the Lions take the field, as he’s the go-to target in third and fourth-down situations, and leads the NFL with first-down and touchdown catches. St. Brown also took third place all-time in Detroit Lions football history with his 37th career receiving touchdown just three games into his fifth season.

“Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown has produced his 37th-career TD reception, passing Marvin Jones Jr. (36) for the 3rd-most TD receptions in team history,” Lions PR said after the Lions' 38-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.

This year is on pace to be one full of Trojan and Lion history for St. Brown. The proud USC alum has paved the way for a Hall of Fame conversation should he have the type of season he’s become accustomed to. It would place him amongst some of the all-time greats of the sport, and as a former fourth-round pick, it would be rightfully that much sweeter for St. Brown and his supporters. 

And for USC and coach Lincoln Riley, it's another feather in their cap as they look to continue to dominate on the recruiting trail and transfer portal.

Recommended Articles:

Published
Kyron Samuels
KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

Share on XFollow kyronsamuels
Home/Football