Kansas Football by the Numbers: 6-10 - 18 Days Until Kansas Football

We take a look at the best Jayhawks to ever wear numbers six through ten.

As part of the 100 days leading up to the first kickoff for Kansas football, we are at the penultimate article in our series focusing on players from the past. In this article and the one that follows, you’re going to see many familiar names.

If you’ve missed any of the past articles, click this link and it’ll get you started on a path through links and a who’s who of KU football history.

For the newcomers, the idea is simple. Some statistics and anecdotes are provided for each player and then they are unscientifically ranked by a party of one (me) and the debate shall begin.

Today’s list spans several generations of KU football but is the only article in this series to feature a current Jayhawk.

Jalon Daniels, #6, 2020- Present.

The only current Jayhawk to make any of these lists, Jalon Daniels’ story has yet to be completed. He sparkled during his time on the field in 2022 including that extraordinary performance in the Liberty Bowl. Already ninth on the Kansas all-time passing yardage list, a similar season in 2023 will see him skyrocket up those charts and this list.

Mike Norseth, #7, 1984-1985.

Only having played two seasons in Lawrence, Mike Norseth still sits in sixth place all-time in passing yardage at 4,677 yards. His 2,995 yards in 1985 is the fourth best single season total in KU history.

Nick Reid, #7, 2002-2005.

The 2005 Big XII Defensive Player of the Year (still the only Jayhawk to receive this accolade) will be inducted into the Ring of Honor during the 2023 season. Nick Reid is second on the all-time tackles list with 416, and his 14 sacks and 40 tackles for loss are also impressive stats for the Derby, Kansas native.

Nolan Cromwell, #9, 1973-1976.

The second Ring of Honor member in today’s rankings, Nolan Cromwell started off as a safety and only moved into the QB position in his final two years on Mount Oread. He was the 1975 Big 8 Offensive Player of the Year and honorable mention All-American. Cromwell was a second round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers and played safety in the NFL for 12 seasons before retiring in 1988.

Carter Stanley, #9, 2016-2019.

Carter Stanley played on some of the worst teams in KU history, but he did put up some respectable numbers. He’s fifth on the all-time passing yardage list (5,035) and second on the all-time passing TD list with 37.

Bobby Douglass, #10, 1966-1968.

The 1968 All-American quarterback is the third Ring of Honor inductee in these rankings. Bobby Douglass was a force when he played at Kansas, and since the game has changed so much since his time donning the crimson and blue, many of his records have gone by the wayside. One that still stands is his 39 total touchdowns, now good for a tie for sixth on the all-time list. Douglass left Kansas after leading KU to the 1969 Orange Bowl and he played 14 years in the NFL for Chicago, San Diego, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay.

Frank Seurer, #10, 1980-1983.

Second on the all-time passing yardage list at KU with 6,410 yards, Frank Seurer is definitely an underrated player at Kansas. He also ranks fourth all-time with 30 career touchdown passes. His senior season in 1983 was his best from a statistical point of view. He threw for 2,789 yards and 14 TDs that season.

Kerry Meier, #10, 2006-2009.

Unsurprisingly, a highly recruited quarterback holds many school records. Surprisingly, those records are receiving records. Kerry Meier holds the career catches mark at 226 and is in possession of the top two seasons in Kansas history in catches made at 102 and 97 in 2009 and 2008 respectively. He also has the most receptions in a single game for the Jayhawks at 16 against Iowa State in 2009. Kerry’s 2,309 yards receiving is the third highest in Kansas history as well.

The Rankings:

1. Bobby Douglass
2. Kerry Meier
3. Nolan Cromwell
4. Frank Seurer
5. Jalon Daniels
6. Mike Norseth and Nick Reid
7. Carter Stanley

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