Jayhawks in the Pros (NFL Edition)
Aug. 25, 2011
Throughout the course of the season, kuathletics.com will check in with the 11 former student-athletes who are playing in the National Football League. This week’s edition is highlighted by Darrell Stuckey, who recorded a pair of tackles and knocked down two passes against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
Dezmon Briscoe
Wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who played at KU from 2007-09, is in his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Briscoe was held relatively quiet in Tampa Bay’s 31-14 loss to the New England Patriots. The former Jayhawk recorded one catch for seven yards on Aug. 18, after going for 60 yards on five catches in his preseason debut against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last season, Briscoe recorded six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in the Bucs’ final two games of the year. He was a sixth-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010 and was signed by Tampa Bay following training camp.
Anthony Collins
Offensive lineman Anthony Collins, who played at KU from 2005-07, is in his fourth season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Collins did not start, but played in his second preseason game as the Bengals fell to the New York Jets, 27-7, on Sunday evening. In his NFL career, Collins has played in 32 games, making 16 starts at offensive tackle. Collins was originally a fourth-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2008.
Chris Harris
Defensive back Chris Harris, who played at KU from 2007-10, is in his first training camp with the Denver Broncos. Harris recorded two tackles on defense and three on special teams in the Broncos’ 24-10 victory over the Buffalo Bills. Harris has played in both of Denver’s preseason games and made five tackles total. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos this year prior to training camp.
Jake Laptad
Defensive end Jake Laptad, who played at KU from 2007-10, is in his first training camp with the Chicago Bears. Laptad has played in both of Chicago’s preseason games, including the Bears’ 41-13 loss to the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, however he has not recorded any stats. He was signed as an undrafted free agent prior to this year’s training camp.
Kerry Meier
Wide receiver Kerry Meier, who played at KU from 2006-09, is in his second season with the Atlanta Falcons. Meier recorded one catch for 11 yards in Atlanta’s 15-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday evening. Meier, who missed the entire 2010 regular season with an injury, has played in both preseason games for the Falcons this year and has made two catches for 29 yards. He was a fifth-round selection by Atlanta in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Moran Norris
Fullback Moran Norris, who played at KU from 1996-2000, is in his 11th NFL season and his third with the San Francisco 49ers. Norris has played in both of the 49ers’ preseason games, including Saturday’s 17-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders. He has not recorded any stats in the preseason. Norris has played in 135 regularseason games in his career and recorded 198 receiving yards on 57 catches; he has also rushed for 67 yards on 28 carries in his 10 NFL seasons. He was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Mike Rivera
Linebacker Mike Rivera, who played at KU from 2005-08, is in his first training camp with the Miami Dolphins after spending time on the Green Bay Packers’ and Tennessee Titans’ practice squads a year ago. Rivera has played in both of Miami’s preseason games this season, making three tackles in the preseason-opening 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Aug. 12. He was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2009 season.
Darrell Stuckey
Safety Darrell Stuckey, who played at KU from 2006-09, is in his second season with the San Diego Chargers. Stuckey has played in both of San Diego’s preseason games, making six total tackles and defending two passes. Stuckey recorded two pass defenses and two tackles in the Chargers’ latest game, a 20-7 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. He was active for just one regular season game last year, but did not record any stats. Stuckey was a fourth-round draft pick by San Diego in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Aqib Talib
Cornerback Aqib Talib, who played at KU from 2005-07, is in his fourth season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Talib has not been active for the Bucs’ first two preseason games, but hopes to be active for Saturday’s exhibition contest with the Miami Dolphins. Talib led Tampa Bay last season with six interceptions and is considered by many to be the team’s best defensive player. In his career, Talib has recorded 127 total tackles, defended 35 passes and tallied 15 interceptions. He was a first-round selection by the Buccaneers in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Brad Thorson
Offensive tackle Brad Thorson, who played at KU from 2008-10, is in his first training camp with the Arizona Cardinals. Thorson was injured early in training camp and placed on injured reserve prior to the Cardinals’ first preseason game. He signed as an undrafted free agent with Arizona in July.
