Jayhawks in the Pros (Week 6)
Oct. 17, 2011
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 Jon Cornish, who rushed for 128 yards on 12 carries for the Calgary Stampeders Friday against Brandon Rideau’s Toronto Argonauts.
Dezmon Briscoe
Wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who played at KU from 2007-09, is in his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Briscoe collected a pair of catches for 49 yards in the Buccaneers’ 26-20 win over the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. He had a season-long catch of 32 yards in Sunday’s win. In his professional career, the former Jayhawk receiver has 16 catches for 216 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 missed his fifth-straight game Sunday, Cincinnati’s 27-17 win over Indianapolis. The KU product dressed for the game, but did not play. 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 and the rest of the Broncos had their bye week, allowing the former Jayhawk to return to Lawrence for the KU-Oklahoma game. Harris has played in all five 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 31-17 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but did not record any stats. He is still looking for his first NFL reception. The KU product has played in four 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 fourth-straight game with a calf injury as San Francisco defeated previously unbeaten Detroit, 25-19, Sunday. In his career, Norris has played in 137 regular season games 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 and the rest of the Chargers had their bye week in Week 6. 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 recorded two tackles in Sunday’s 26-20 win over the New Orleans Saints. In his pro career, he has recorded 143 total tackles, defended 40 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 recorded his second 100-yard rushing game in the past three weeks, going for 128 yards on 12 carries in Calgary’s 31-29 loss to former Jayhawk teammate Brandon Rideau and the Toronto Argonauts Friday night. Cornish also added a pair of catches for 31 yards. In 15 games this year, Cornish has 662 yards on 83 carries from scrimmage and as well as 22 catches for 362 yards and a pair of scores. In his CFL career, Cornish has recorded 1,669 yards on 220 rushing attempts with eight touchdowns. He has also racked up 658 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 43 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 suffered a concussion earlier this season and has missed the last four games. 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 scored his fourth touchdown of the season just before halftime in Toronto’s 31-29 win over the Calgary Stampeders Friday night. Rideau was named the league’s offensive player of the week on Aug. 16, and has 37 catches for 483 yards and four touchdowns for the season. In his two-year CFL career, Rideau has recorded 61 receptions, 916 yards and five scores.
