Jayhawks in the Pros #2 (NFL Edition)
Aug. 29, 2011
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Throughout the course of the season, kuathletics.com will check in with the eight former student-athletes who are playing in the National Football League. This week’s edition is highlighted by rookie Chris Harris, who again made a pair of stops for the Denver Broncos and is on the verge of making the team.
Dezmon Briscoe
Wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who played at KU from 2007-09, is in his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Briscoe played in Tampa Bay’s 17-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, but did not record any stats. In his three preseason games, Briscoe has hauled in six catches for 67 yards. Last season, he recorded six receptions 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 last year.
Anthony Collins
Offensive lineman Anthony Collins, who played at KU from 2005-07, is in his fourth season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Collins played in his third preseason game of the year on Aug. 25 as Cincinnati defeated Carolina, 24-13. In his NFL career, Collins has played in 32 games, making 16 starts at offensive tackle. He 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 played in his third preseason game with the Broncos and recorded a pair of tackles in Denver’s 23-20 win over Seattle. Harris has tallied seven tackles in three preseason games with the Broncos and earned several minutes of playing time each week. 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 all three of Chicago’s preseason games, including the Bears’ 14-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday; 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 played, but did not collect any stats, in Atlanta’s 34-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Saturday. Meier, who missed the entire 2010 regular season with an injury, has played in all three of Atlanta’s preseason games and 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 all three of the 49ers’ preseason games, including Saturday’s 30-7 loss to the Houston Texans. However, he has not recorded any stats in the preseason. Norris has played in 135 regular season games in his career and recorded 198 receiving yards on 57 catches; he has also rushed for 67 yards on 28 carries. He was originally drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Darrell Stuckey
Safety Darrell Stuckey, who played at KU from 2006-09, is in his second season with the San Diego Chargers. Stuckey made three tackles in San Diego’s latest preseason game – a 34-31 win over Arizona on Sunday afternoon. He has played in all of the Chargers’ preseason games, making nine total tackles and defending two passes. He was active for just one regular season game last year and 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 three preseason games, but hopes to be active for the team’s preseason finale against the Washington Redskins on Thursday of this week. 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.
