Emerging Star: Dezmon Briscoe

Saturday in Lincoln didn’t bring a lot of good feelings to the hearts of Kansas fans, but one player should capture the hopes of Jayhawks everywhere as we wrap up 2008 and head into 2009. Dezmon Briscoe, a forgotten receiver in a pass happy league that is producing some of the biggest names at the position. The pundits go bonkers for names like Crabtree, Maclin, Shipley and Bryant and rightfully so, but Briscoe is a kid in Lawrence who is gaining confidence hitting his stride and now not only holds the school record for touchdowns in a career as a true Sophomre but also appears poised to emerge as a headliner for the Jayhawks.
Dezmon Briscoe has quietly amassed a season total 976 yards ranking him 3rd among all receivers in the Big 12. His 16.3 yard average places him 7th in the conference and among the big 4 names in the conference only Bryant produces more yardage per catch. Briscoe has also posted 11 touchdown receptions this year again bringing him into 3rd statistically amongst his peers in the conference in this category. Numbers like these in any other conference in the country put you on the all conference first team but this year Briscoe will likely settle for 2nd team or honorable mention considering the stacked competition and big name recognition that many of these guys have earned. No shame in that in a league that is arguably the best in history from an offensive standpoint. What has me excited though is what the future holds for Dezmon and the Jayhawks.
Next year will likely see the departure of Michael Crabtree. Jordan Shipley will have run out of eligibility. Jeremy Maclin may be bound for the draft and if not will be on the receiving end of a quarterback that will be managing a significant amount of turnover at Missouri. Clearly others will emerge but this does open up the league for a battle of two Texas sized receivers in Dez Bryant and Dezmon Briscoe. Dezmon started off the season strong and has had several highlight plays but what stands out to me is the performances beginning with Oklahoma where he seemed to grab hold of a greater confidence and truly became a difference maker.
The old saying that the game slowed down for him seems to apply to Briscoe. Against stiff competition in the Big 12 he has shown the capability to take the ball, make a play and pickup a team that is in need of more leaders. 2007 Dezmon Briscoe was a joy to watch, a supporting player on an explosive offense. 2008 Dezmon Briscoe has brought cautious optimism and excitement in seeing him go from a supporting role to the leading receiver and one of the elite in the league as a true sophomore. 2009 Dezmon Briscoe could emerge a star and position himself for an amazing 4 year run at Kansas that will place him far beyond the reaches of any other in terms of receiving records at the University.
No the Jayhawks don’t have a storied history with football and our counterparts in the league don’t let us forget that. However it has to start somewhere and what I have seen of Dezmon Briscoe makes me believe this is one we will remember for awhile and can be proud of in what we all hope is the beginning to a more consistent and successful Kansas Jayhawk football program.
Comments
Maclin
He has to play anther year since he’s only a sophomore, right?
by Slim Intoxicado on
Nov 11, 2008 6:35 AM CST
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Redshirt Sophomore so he could go...although I'm not sure he will
Dez Bryant is the other True Sophomore in the Group both Crab and Maclin had Redshirt years…
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
by Denverjhawk on
Nov 11, 2008 7:13 AM CST
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Great post...
I did a piece before the year predicting Dez to be our breakout star this year and he has not disappointed. As for your speculation, I think you’re right on in saying that he and Bryant will be the two stars next year. There’s no doubt in my mind that Crabtree and Maclin are gone – both are losing their senior quarterbacks, they can only hurt their stock by staying.
by hiphopopotamus on
Nov 11, 2008 8:16 AM CST
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Do you have a link to that piece???
wouldn’t mind reading it
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
by Denverjhawk on
Nov 11, 2008 9:00 AM CST
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Don't expect much insight....
but the last couple of lines have proven to be pretty accurate.
by hiphopopotamus on
Nov 11, 2008 9:51 AM CST
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Shipley
Word is that Texas is petitioning for another year of eligibility for Shipley (which would be a medical redshirt).
by Texas Wahoo on
Nov 11, 2008 10:37 AM CST
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I suppose they have a pretty good shot at it...
he redshirted in 04’ and then spent the entire 05’ season in what would have been his RS FR year injured so perhaps he too will be back…the question is will Colt McCoy be? I would think so…but he is having a monster year.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
by Denverjhawk on
Nov 11, 2008 11:04 AM CST
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Nice Piece
I would also make a case that Briscoe could be gone after next season, in a similar scenario to others listed, he will be losing his QB, Reesing.
by I need more Esteban on
Nov 11, 2008 1:49 PM CST
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I think that is a possibility but I'm not ready to think about that one quite yet
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
by Denverjhawk on
Nov 11, 2008 3:21 PM CST
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