Jayhawks in the Pros (Week 15)
Dec. 21, 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 wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season and cornerback Chris Harris, who made a team-high nine tackles against the Patriots.
Dezmon Briscoe
Wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who played at KU from 2007-09, is in his second season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Briscoe started his first game of the season Saturday and recorded three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown in Tampa Bay’s 31-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. This season, Briscoe has 26 catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns. In his professional career, the former Jayhawk receiver has 32 catches for 421 yards and five touchdowns. 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 started for the second-straight week in the Bengals’ 20-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams Sunday at the Edwards Jones Dome. In his NFL career, Collins has played in 36 games, making 18 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 started his fourth game of the season and recorded a team-best nine tackles in Denver’s 41-23 loss to the New England Patriots. Harris had nine solo stops, including one tackle for a loss against the Patriots. He has played in all 14 games for the Broncos this season, making 61 tackles and recording an interception and five pass breakups. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by Denver 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 on special teams in Atlanta’s 41-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, but did not record any stats. Meier has played in 12 games this season, but is still looking for his first NFL catch. He missed the entire 2010 season with an injury after being a fifth-round selection by Atlanta in the 2010 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 was inactive for the third-straight week due to injury as the 49ers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-3, at Candlestick Park on Monday Night Football. In his career, Norris has played in 138 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 played in San Diego’s 34-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday night, but did not record any stats. In his career, Stuckey has played in 13 games and made 10 tackles, including eight solo stops. 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 returned from injury to start his 13th game of the season and made one tackle in Tampa Bay’s 31-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Saturday. In his pro career, Talib has recorded 162 total tackles, defended 46 passes and tallied 17 interceptions, including three he’s returned for touchdowns. 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, made news this week by signing a contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Cornish ran for 863 yards on 119 carries from scrimmage and nine touchdowns this season, helping Calgary reach the postseason. He has also amassed 385 yards on 26 receptions and two TD catches this year. In his CFL career, Cornish has recorded 1,870 yards on 256 rushing attempts with 12 touchdowns. He has also racked up 713 yards receiving and four touchdowns on 50 career catches.
