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Kansas wide Receiver Dezmon Briscoe finished the Jayhawks' first game with 55 yards receiving and three touchdown catches.
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Kansas wide Receiver Dezmon Briscoe finished the Jayhawks' first game with 55 yards receiving and three touchdown catches.
It is a testament to the 2006 Cedar Hill (Texas) High football team that receiver Dezmon Briscoe, who would later develop into a freshman all-American honorable mention selection at Kansas University, was not the most highly touted player on the Longhorns' state championship team.
That honor went to quarterback William Cole, a nationally known prospect who, before committing to Oklahoma State during a highly publicized signing-day ceremony, was high on the Jayhawks' - and just about everybody else's - wish list.
While Briscoe wasn't exactly void of attention as a prep receiver - he garnered offers from Missouri, Iowa and Boise State - home-state schools like Texas and Texas A&M weren't beating down the door for his services, either.
"It did at first," said Briscoe, when asked if the lack of interest got to him. "But as I progressed in my recruiting, it didn't really bother me none. Because the schools that I did have, I believe that they were pretty good schools, and I chose Kansas. And now I'm here, doing what I do."
What he does is catch touchdowns at an alarming rate. Following a true freshman season in which he collected 43 passes for 496 yards and seven touchdowns (second on the team), Briscoe shined in the Jayhawks' 40-10 season-opening victory over Florida International last Saturday, catching all three of quarterback Todd Reesing's touchdown passes and finishing with 55 yards and a team-high nine catches.
At 6-foot-3 and an ever-increasing 200 pounds, Briscoe has emerged as perhaps the Jayhawks' most dangerous receiving threat - a role that could expand with the loss of fellow receiver Dexton Fields, who'll miss at least one game because of an apparent left foot or ankle injury.
"He's quite confident," said Kansas coach Mark Mangino. "He's a quiet guy, doesn't say a whole lot. ... But he's a guy that really enjoys playing football. He likes coming out to practice."
While Briscoe's on-field exploits have been quick and prominent, his arrival in Lawrence didn't get off to quite as smooth a start. Last year, he was ordered to appear in court on charges of "theft by deception" after reportedly attempting to steal merchandise from a local Wal-Mart in June of 2007 (he later filed a diversion application).
The incident, which occurred while he was in Lawrence prior to the start of his freshman season, wasn't the best start to a career many believe has the chance to be particularly fruitful. Having spent a year in Mangino's program, however, which provides no shortage of discipline, Briscoe has since progressed without incident.
"I thought last year was tough on him, because he was just trying to find his way, yet we were relying on him to play for us," Mangino said. "I think the first year for us, his head was probably spinning. Now, he seems a lot more relaxed. He understands what the expectations are, on and off the field, and he's doing what we ask him to do."
Entering Saturday's game with visiting Louisiana Tech, a team fresh off a 22-14 upset over Mississippi State, Briscoe is hoping to build upon his recent success. Based on last week's game, the Bulldogs tend to mix up coverage on defense, and Briscoe said Wednesday he expects to see some man-to-man coverage come Saturday - a prospect he welcomes ("As receivers, we love one-on-one," he said).
And following a rather pedestrian passing attack in the Jayhawks' season-opening victory - the team averaged just 6.9 yards-per-completion on Saturday, barely half of what they averaged during the 2007 season - Briscoe is hopeful Kansas will have the opportunity to execute a few field-stretching plays against the Bulldogs.
"I believe that we should be able to air it out a little more," Briscoe said. "I think coaches trust the receivers and trust Todd to get us the ball and make plays."
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Comments
KGphoto (anonymous) says…
Again Dugan. No weed, no story.Here, let's see if this might work.briscoe smokes weed! Uh, yeah. Yeah I saw him in the towers. So does half the team. Big potheads. All of them. Mangino too. Medical stuff. Didn't you see Reesing in the locker room before the Orange Bowl. He was crispy. Cantrell has long hair, so you no he tokes. Kerry Meier? are you kidding? Weedy, weedy, weed, I love weed.There you go. Now stand back and watch the posts roll in.I got your back D.A..
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thiknthinhawk (anonymous) says…
I'm stoked about our deep threat potential! This is the best corps of receivers KU has had in a very long time. Lots of speed and good hands- and quality depth. We should break out this Saturday. LaTech better look out- they may have had a good game last Saturday- but KU's offense took a lot of flack this week. They'll be ready to prove themselves this Saturday!
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jerhawk (anonymous) says…
thats fine! send up platers the state of texas doesn't want, we will greet them with open arms. its a new era in football at the great ku. this season will be tough- i expect a bowl game in the future. rock chalk
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LAJayhawk5 (anonymous) says…
raise your hand if KG should retire from comedy! suck it!
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plasticJHawk (anonymous) says…
In Keegan's Texas Two-Step column he quoted Briscoe as saying he was recruited by every Texas school except Texas. I guess maybe Texas A&M never extended him an offer... Oh well, their loss is our gain. I hope that Briscoe doesn't get snatched away by the NFL before he runs his course at KU.
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FlaHawk (anonymous) says…
If Briscoe stay unhurt and stays for his Senior year, he will own the KU record book for receivers.He has plenty of NFL potential, if he stays off the weed or is that women :-)!Bruce
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FortWorthJayhawk (anonymous) says…
KG, give it a rest.
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JayhawkPhil (anonymous) says…
Briscoe is a primary example of what Mangino and his coaches have been able to do best and that is to identify and recruit under rated 2 and 3 star players and make them just as good as, or better than, 4 and 5 star players recruited by the likes of Texas & Oklahoma. He has stolen players out of both states. great job!
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feedback71 (anonymous) says…
Lol, KG. WTH?
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yovoy (anonymous) says…
while your hand is up, we'll just count 'retire from comedy' as 'i don't know the difference between comedy' and 'sarcasm'. is it still up? thought so.
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HawkDigestCom (anonymous) says…
The Breeze is going to own a lot of KU receiving records before he is done.
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railer1122 (anonymous) says…
Briscoe still needs to step up his speed. But good short yardage guy.
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100 (anonymous) says…
Hopefully the KU Players and Coaches will take the lack of national respect personally for the next 13 games this season: ESPN the magazine has predicted KU will finish 5th (in the big 12). Thats downright embarrassing. Its time to start taking care of the ball again. And begin marching the ball with a chip on our shoulder, each and every possesion. As for our D, we gotta take that as a challenge -- they (the national press) dont think you're very good. In short, let's start showing the nation what you're made of -- each and every game -- follow the gameplan and get PUMPED up! Each and every game is winnable this year -- 14-0 -- the national press thinks you'll (maybe) win 8 games. You guys control your own destiny -- connect with your teammates, get pumped and take CHARGE of this season!Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
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Mr_Sandman (anonymous) says…
Raise your hand if you think KG is high himself. At least I hope so.
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