KU Football by the Numbers: the Eighties - 89 Days Until Kansas Football

We rank the best players in Kansas football history to wear a jersey number in the eighties.

© John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

As part of the 100 days leading up to the first kickoff for Kansas football, we’ve started a brief series focusing on players from the past. We’ve already explored some greats who wore numbers in the nineties (click that link to check it out if you haven't already), and today, we are looking and ranking some of the best players to wear numbers in the eighties.

The idea is simple. Some statistics and/or anecdotes are provided for each player and then they are unscientifically ranked by a party of one (me) and the debate shall begin. Let’s get started. Having a number between 80 and 89 on your jersey most likely means you were a receiver, although that is certainly not universal. Today’s group of players is a mixed bunch featuring some all time greats and some newer stars.

Contents

1. The Players:
2. The Rankings:

The Players:

Dezmon Briscoe, #80, 2007-2009.

The Dallas, Texas native is all over the Kansas record books for receptions, yards, and touchdowns. His 219 receptions are second in KU history, but those receptions totaled the most yardage at 3,240, almost 700 more than the next best. Briscoe also owns the top two single season receiving yard totals in Kansas history with 1,407 in 2008 and 1,337 in 2009. His 31 touchdown receptions are 11 higher than any other player to ever don the crimson and blue. Put this guy in the Ring of Honor.

Kyle McNorton, #81, 1978-1981.

The big linebacker from Topeka led KU in tackles in 1980 and 1981. He was an all-Big Eight performer in his senior campaign and got a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs after that.

George Mrkonic, #83, 1950-1952.

A specialist on both sides of the ball, George Mrkonic played left guard and defensive tackle. The two time all-conference player was also a monster on special teams, leading KU in punting in 1951. He later played with the Philadelphia Eagles and in the Canadian Football League.

John Zook, #83, 1966-1968.

The big defensive end from Garden City, Kansas finished his KU career with 202 tackles. Zook was a two time all-conference performer and was an All-American in his final season at Kansas, one that culminated in a trip to the Orange Bowl in Miami. Zook played eleven seasons in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Cardinals. He was named to the All-Pro team in 1973.

Mark Simmons, #83, 2002-2005.

Remarkably consistent in his three years as a regular, Mark Simmons caught 40, 48, and 44 passes in his final three seasons in Lawrence. He racked up 2,161 yards over his career, good enough for fifth all-time. He is also fifth all time in receiving touchdowns with 16.

Brandon Rideau, #84, 2001-2004.

In his junior and senior season, Brandon Rideau came alive for KU. He grabbed 51 catches in each of those seasons and averaged 12.5 yards per catch. He ranks ninth in receiving yardage and seventh in receiving touchdowns on KU’s all time list.

Ben Johnson, #84, 2014-2017.

Not a regular starter until his senior season, the tight end from Basehor, Kansas grabbed 30 catches in 2017 for a total of 363 yards and a TD.

Bob Johnson, #88, 1981-1983.

The Big 8 leader in receiving yards in 1983, Bob Johnson was one for the big play. He averaged 20.5 yards per catch over his three years on Mount Oread. He ranks eighth on the all time yards receiving list at Kansas.

Dexton Fields, #88, 2005-2008.

Playing with some of the all time great offensive players and for some of the all time great offensive coaches to ever step foot in Lawrence, Dexton Fields was a major beneficiary. While not in the top ten of career receiving yards, Fields is sixth in receiving touchdowns.

Richard Estell, #89, 1982-1985.

During his senior season of 1985, Richard Estell led the Big 8 in receiving yardage at 1,109 and receptions at 70. That was his standout season, but he still sits at number six in receiving yards at KU with 1,997 in his career.

The Rankings:

1. Dezmon Briscoe
2. John Zook
3. George Mrkonic
4. Richard Estell
5. Bob Johnson
6. Mark Simmons
7. Brandon Rideau
8. Dexton Fields
9. Kyle McNorton
10. Ben Johnson

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