Rise to Success: Career Highlights of DeAndre Hopkins

How DeAndre Hopkins built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

DeAndre Hopkins, nicknamed "DHop" and "Nuk", is a prominent American football wide receiver, currently a free agent. A first-round pick by the Houston Texans in 2013 after a successful college career with the Clemson Tigers, Hopkins has also played for the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Kansas City Chiefs. He has earned recognition as a five-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection, solidifying his reputation as one of the NFL's top receivers.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2010: Freshman Year at Clemson

In 2010, during his freshman year at Clemson, DeAndre Hopkins became a key contributor to the team's offense, leading the team with 52 receptions for 637 yards and four touchdowns. He also played basketball for the Tigers.

2011: Sophomore Season at Clemson

In 2011, during his sophomore year at Clemson, DeAndre Hopkins recorded 72 receptions for 978 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, finishing second on the team in receiving categories. Clemson finished the season with a 10-4 record.

2012: Junior Year at Clemson

In 2012, during his junior year, DeAndre Hopkins helped the Clemson Tigers achieve their first 11-win season since 1981. He had a conference-best 1,405 yards on 82 catches and a school-record 18 touchdowns.

2012: 2012 Orange Bowl

In the 2012 Orange Bowl, DeAndre Hopkins had 10 receptions for 107 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in Clemson's 70-33 loss to West Virginia.

January 10, 2013: Hopkins Declares for NFL Draft

On January 10, 2013, DeAndre Hopkins announced his decision to forgo his senior season at Clemson and enter the NFL Draft after a successful junior year.

March 7, 2013: Participates in Clemson's Pro Day

On March 7, 2013, DeAndre Hopkins participated in Clemson's pro day, showcasing his skills for NFL scouts. He subsequently had private workouts and visits with several teams.

July 24, 2013: Signs Contract with Houston Texans

On July 24, 2013, DeAndre Hopkins signed a four-year, $7.62 million contract with the Houston Texans, securing his place in the NFL.

December 2, 2013: Texans Head Coach Fired

On December 2, 2013, the Houston Texans fired head coach Gary Kubiak after the team posted a 2-11 record. DeAndre Hopkins finished the 2013 season with 52 receptions for 802 receiving yards and two touchdowns and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

2013: Drafted by the Houston Texans

In 2013, DeAndre Hopkins was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round as the 27th overall pick.

November 30, 2014: Season-High Performance Against Titans

On November 30, 2014, DeAndre Hopkins had a standout performance against the Tennessee Titans, catching a season-high nine passes for a season-high 238 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 45-21 victory for the Texans.

2014: Starting Wide Receiver for Texans

In 2014, DeAndre Hopkins returned as a starting wide receiver for the Houston Texans under new head coach Bill O'Brien.

2015: Career Highs and Pro Bowl Nomination

In 2015, DeAndre Hopkins achieved career highs in receptions (111), receiving yards (1,521), and touchdowns (11) while playing with four different quarterbacks. He earned his first Pro Bowl nomination.

2015: Becomes Texans' Number One Receiver

In 2015, DeAndre Hopkins became the Houston Texans' primary receiver following the departure of Andre Johnson.

2015: Increased Production in 2015 Season

In 2015, DeAndre Hopkins had a productive season, marked by a significant increase in usage, with 192 targets. He broke the Texans' franchise record for most touchdown receptions in a season.

July 30, 2016: Hopkins Holds Out for New Contract

On July 30, 2016, DeAndre Hopkins did not report to training camp, initiating a holdout in pursuit of a new contract with the Houston Texans.

2016: Lowest Totals Since Rookie Season

In 2016, DeAndre Hopkins recorded his lowest totals in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns since his rookie season in 2013, with 78 receptions for 954 yards and four touchdowns.

August 31, 2017: Signs Contract Extension with Texans

On August 31, 2017, DeAndre Hopkins signed a five-year, $81 million contract extension with the Houston Texans, which included $49 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $7.5 million.

December 19, 2017: Named to Second Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, DeAndre Hopkins was named to his second Pro Bowl.

2017: Finished 2017 Season Strong

In 2017, DeAndre Hopkins concluded the season with 96 receptions for 1,378 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns, topping the league in scoring among wide receivers with 78 points. He also became the first player in franchise history to lead the league in receiving touchdowns for a single season, was named as a First-team All-Pro for the 2017 season.

2018: Career-High Season and Playoffs

During the 2018 season, DeAndre Hopkins achieved career-highs with 115 catches for 1,572 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns, finishing third in the league in receptions and second in receiving yards. He was named to his third Pro Bowl and his second straight First-team All-Pro. The Texans won the AFC South with an 11–5 record and earned the #3-seed for the AFC Playoffs. In the Wild Card Round against the Colts, playing with a torn ligament in his shoulder, he finished with five receptions for 37 yards in the 21–7 loss.

2019: 2019 Season Performance

In 2019, DeAndre Hopkins concluded the season with 104 receptions for 1,165 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

March 2020: Partnership with Beyond Meat

In March 2020, DeAndre Hopkins partnered with Beyond Meat to launch the Feed A Million+ pledge, aiming to donate and distribute over one million Beyond Burgers across the United States.

March 16, 2020: Traded to Arizona Cardinals

On March 16, 2020, the Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft to the Arizona Cardinals for running back David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick, and a 2021 fourth-round pick. This trade was widely criticized.

September 8, 2020: Signed Contract Extension with Cardinals

On September 8, 2020, DeAndre Hopkins signed a two-year, $54.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals.

September 13, 2020: Debut as a Cardinal

On September 13, 2020, DeAndre Hopkins debuted as a Cardinal against the San Francisco 49ers, recording a career-high 14 receptions for 151 yards in the 24–20 win.

2020: Tribute to Denmark Vesey

In 2020, DeAndre Hopkins displayed the name of Denmark Vesey on his helmet, honoring the South Carolina slave revolt leader.

2021: Cereal Business

In 2021, DeAndre Hopkins started a cereal business with "DeAndre's Hop Box", with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the SMOOOTH Foundation.

2022: Season Performance and Injury

In the 2022 season, DeAndre Hopkins finished with 42 catches for 572 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games. He was placed on injured reserve on December 18 due to a torn MCL. He was ranked 37th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2022.

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May 26, 2023: Released by the Cardinals

On May 26, 2023, DeAndre Hopkins was released by the Arizona Cardinals.

July 24, 2023: Signed with the Titans

On July 24, 2023, DeAndre Hopkins signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.

2023: 2023 Season Performance

In the 2023 season, DeAndre Hopkins had a notable performance, including eight receptions for 140 yards in a loss to the Colts. He also caught three touchdowns in a game against the Falcons, finishing the season with 75 receptions for 1,057 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns.

October 24, 2024: Traded to Kansas City Chiefs

On October 24, 2024, the Titans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2025 conditional fifth-round pick that would have become a fourth-round pick if Kansas City are to advance to Super Bowl LIX and Hopkins were to play in 60% of the snaps, however, since Hopkins played in less than 50% of the snaps, the pick remained a fifth-round pick.

2024: Played for the Titans

In 2024, DeAndre Hopkins played in six games for the Titans, catching 15 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown.

2024: Chiefs Debut and Super Bowl Appearance

In the 2024 season, DeAndre Hopkins finished with 56 receptions for 610 yards and five touchdowns for the Chiefs. He reached the Super Bowl for the first time in his career, scoring a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the 40–22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He became the second wide receiver in Super Bowl history to have a receiving touchdown and a two-point conversion in one game.