photo by: Thad Allender

Kansas University 310-pound offensive lineman Anthony Collins (78) jumps in the arms of 190-pound running back Jake Sharp (1) after Sharp's touchdown run in the second quarter against Baylor. Sharp rushed for 110 yards in the Jayhawks' 58-10 rout of the Bears on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The NFL draft starts Thursday night and concludes Saturday, by which time it is likely that for the seventh time in the 21st century, no Kansas player will be selected, unless safety Fish Smithson is snagged with a late-round pick.

Sixteen Jayhawks have been selected this century. By position: Offensive line (four), cornerback (three), wide receiver (three), defensive line (two), linebacker (one), running back (one), safety (one) tight end (one). By round: first (one), second (none), third (none), fourth (six), fifth (four), sixth (four), seventh (one).

A complete list of 21st-century selections from Kansas, with position NFL team, round and overall selection:

2001: Moran Norris RB Saints (4/115);

2002: Nate Dwyer DL Cardinals (4/113), Justin Hartwig OL Titans (6/187);

2003: None.

2004: Adrian Jones OL Jets (4/132);

2005: David McMillan DL Browns (5/139);

2006: None;

2007: None;

2008: Aqib Talib CB Buccaneers (1/20), Anthony Collins OL Bengals (4/112), Derek Fine TE Bills (4/132), Marcus Henry WR Jets (6/174);

2009: None;

2010: Darrell Stuckey S Chargers (4/110), Kerry Meier WR Falcons (5/165), Dezmon Briscoe WR Bengals (6/191);

2011: None;

2012: Tanner Hawkinson OL Bengals (5/156);

2013: None;

2014: None;

2015: Ben Heeney LB Raiders (5/140), JaCorey Shepherd CB Eagles (6/191), Dexter McDonald CB Raiders (7/242);

2016: None.

Interestingly, 7 of 16 selections played in KU’s 24-21 Orange Bowl victory vs. Virginia Tech. Six were starters. Meier caught two passes as a reserve. Henry, Briscoe and Dexton Fields were KU’s three starting receivers.

That team also featured undrafted, record-breaking quarterback Todd Reesing. All-Pro cornerback Chris Harris was a freshman starter in the Orange Bowl and was bypassed in the draft after three more seasons at KU.