Jayhawks in the Pros (Week 4)
Oct. 4, 2011
Highlights of Cornish’s Career Day
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Throughout the course of the season, kuathletics.com will check in with the seven former student-athletes who are playing in the National Football League and three playing in the Canadian Football League. This week’s edition is highlighted by former Jayhawk running back Jon Cornish, who rushed for a career-best 149 yards on 13 carries in a Canadian Football League game Saturday.
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 the Buccaneers’ 24-17 win over Indianapolis on Monday Night Football, but did not record any statistics. In his professional career, the former Jayhawk receiver has 12 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. He was originally 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 did not play in Cincinnati’s 23-20 win over Buffalo Sunday, marking the third-straight game in which he’s been inactive. In his NFL career, Collins has played in 33 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 season with the Denver Broncos. Harris recorded a season-high four tackles on defense in Sunday’s 49-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Harris has played in all four games for the Broncos this season, making eight tackles, including six solo stops. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos this year prior to 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 in Atlanta’s 30-28 victory over Seattle at Qwest Field, but did not record any stats. He is still looking for his first NFL reception. The KU product has played in three games this season after missing the entire 2010 season with an injury. 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 missed his second-straight game with a leg injury as the 49ers defeated Philadelphia, 24-23. In his career, Norris has played in 137 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 played in the Chargers’ 26-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins in San Diego Sunday, collecting one tackle on special teams. In his career, Stuckey has played in five games and made four tackles. He was a fourth-round draft pick by San Diego in the 2010 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 had a solid game Monday against Indianapolis, recording two tackles, two pass breakups and one tackle for a loss as Tampa Bay won 24-17. In his pro career, he has recorded 141 total tackles, defended 39 passes and tallied 16 interceptions. He was a first-round selection by the Buccaneers in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Jayhawks in the CFL
Jon Cornish
Tailback Jon Cornish, who played at KU from 2003-06, is in his fourth season with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Cornish rushed for a career-high 149 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Stampeders to a 40-3 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday. Cornish also added 32 yards on one catch in the game. “Jon Cornish did an excellent job. Once he got through (he) made some excellent yards on his own. You see the strength and the speed that he has,” said Calgary general manager John Hufnagel to the Canadian Press after the game. In 13 games this year, Cornish has 485 yards on 62 carries from scrimmage as well as 18 catches for 316 yards and a pair of scores. In his CFL career, Cornish has recorded 1,492 yards on 199 rushing attempts with seven touchdowns. He has also racked up 612 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 39 career catches.
Marcus Henry
Wide receiver Marcus Henry, who played at KU from 2004-07, is in his first season with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. Henry played but did not record any stats in Edmonton’s 33-24 loss to the BC Lions. For the season, Henry has recorded 33 receptions for 384 yards and a touchdown. He was with the New York Jets in training camp the last three seasons, but never appeared in a regular season game. He was signed by Edmonton as an import free agent prior to the CFL’s regular season.
Brandon Rideau
Wide receiver Brandon Rideau, who played at KU from 2001-04, is in his second season with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Rideau did not record any stats in Toronto’s loss to Hamilton Saturday. Rideau was named the league’s offensive player of the week on Aug. 16, and has 33 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns for the season. In his two-year CFL career, Rideau has recorded 57 receptions, 888 yards and four scores.
