Jayhawks in the Pros #12

Nov. 5, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Through nine weeks of the National Football League season, six Jayhawks remain on NFL rosters with several of them making an impact for their teams. In addition, two Jayhawks are playing in the Canadian Football League. This week’s edition of Jayhawks in the Pros is highlighted by Jon Cornish breaking a 56-year old record in the CFL and Chris Harris enjoying another solid effort against Cincinnati. Former Jayhawk Aqib Talib also made headlines in the past week, getting traded to the New England Patriots for a pair of draft picks.

Dezmon Briscoe
Wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe is in his third season in the NFL and first with the Washington Redskins. Briscoe recorded his second catch in a Redskins’ uniform, collecting an eight-yard reception in Washington’s 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers Sunday. Briscoe has played in six games this season for Washington, making two catches for the 22 yards. He signed with the Redskins after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in late July. In his two-plus NFL seasons, Briscoe has played in 20 games and tallied 42 catches for 488 yards and seven touchdowns. He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Anthony Collins

Offensive tackle Anthony Collins is in his fifth season in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals. Collins was active, but did not play, in the Bengals’ 31-23 loss to the Denver Broncos at Paul Brown Stadium Sunday. Collins has not played in any of the Bengals’ games this season, missing the first one with an injury and has dressed, but not seen action, in the last seven. He has played in 39 games in his NFL career and made 18 starts at offensive tackle. Collins was originally a fourth-round selection by Cincinnati in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Chris Harris
Cornerback Chris Harris is in his second season with the Denver Broncos.Harris made his fourth start of the season in Sunday’s 31-23 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The second-year cornerback made six tackles, including a TFL, and recorded a pass breakup. Harris has played in 23 games in his NFL career, making eight starts. He has recorded 103 tackles, broken up 10 passes and made three interceptions. Harris signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2011 NFL Draft.

Steven Johnson
Linebacker Steven Johnson is in his first season with the Denver Broncos after making the team as an undrafted free agent. Johnson recorded his first stats of the season, making an assisted tackle on special teams in Denver’s 31-23 win over Cincinnati. He has played in three of Denver’s eight games this season. Johnson was signed by the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft in April.

Darrell Stuckey
Safety Darrell Stuckey is in his third season with San Diego, and first serving as the Chargers’ special teams captain. Stuckey made a pair of tackles and recovered a fumble in San Diego’s 31-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night. He has played in all eight of the Chargers’ games this season and has eight tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. In his career, Stuckey has played in 23 games and made 21 tackles. He was drafted by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Aqib Talib
Cornerback Aqib Talib is in his fifth season in the NFL. Talib made headlines in week nine after being traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the New England Patriots for a pair of draft picks. Talib has one more game remaining on his four-game suspension, but will be eligible to play for the Patriots in Week 11 (Nov. 18) when they host the Indianapolis Colts. This season, Talib has started in four games for the Bucs and made 21 tackles with seven pass breakups and an interception. In his career, the former KU All-American has made 182 tackles, recorded 53 pass breakups and collected 18 interceptions. He was a first-round pick by Tampa Bay in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Jayhawks in the Canadian Football League

Jon Cornish
Tailback Jon Cornish is in his sixth CFL season, all with the Calgary Stampeders. Cornish rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries in Calgary’s 30-27 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos Friday night. His total gave him 1,457 yards for the season, which broke a 56-year old record in the CFL for most rushing yards by a native Canadian in the CFL. He leads the league in rushing and has 11 touchdowns on the ground. He has also recorded 39 receptions for 356 yards and two touchdowns. In his six-year career, Cornish has rushed for 3,327 yards and 23 touchdowns to go along with 88 catches for 1,051 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He signed with Calgary following the end of his KU career in 2007.

Marcus Henry
Wide receiver Marcus Henry is in his second year in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. Henry recorded two catches for 30 yards in Edmonton’s 30-27 loss to the Calgary Stampeders Friday. In eight games this season, Henry has recorded 28 catches for 382 yards and one score. In his CFL career, Henry has 61 receptions for 793 yards and two touchdowns. He signed with Edmonton during the 2011 NFL season after being released by the Carolina Panthers in training camp.

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