Kerry Meier has already accomplished more than most Kansas football players could ever dream of achieving. The Pittsburg native was an all-state quarterback, earned a trip to the Kansas Shrine Bowl, claimed a Division I scholarship, turned himself into an All-Big 12 wide receiver, made the cover of Sports Illustrated and helped the Kansas Jayhawks to an Orange Bowl victory.
But Meier’s biggest challenge now confronts him as he attempts to make an impact in the NFL after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round.
“So far, I’ve just had a little taste of it,” Meier said. “It’s a big learning process. There’s a lot of hard work still head of me. I’m just anxious to get back to work.”
Meier will enter the Falcons’ camp as one of 11 wide receivers listed on their online roster. He will try to make a name for himself in a receiving corps that includes veterans Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran.
But there are a lot of positives on the side of the rookie from Pittsburg.
Of the four rookies slated to be at training camp, Meier is the only one who was drafted. The Falcons also thought enough of the KU product to sign him to a four-year deal.
Another benefit to Meier is that he has an older brother who has been there before.
Kerry’s oldest brother Shad was a third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2001. The tight end out of Kansas State went on to play six seasons in the NFL, catching 42 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
“Shadley’s a great brother,” Kerry said. “That’s such a huge aspect. He’s been able to help me with not just football, but with everything that goes into being a professional athlete. He’s been a great example.”
Shad, however, hasn’t been Kerry’s only example of what it takes to be a tremendous athlete. Kerry is the youngest of four brothers who all played college football. Shad and Dylan played at Kansas State, while Adam played in his hometown for Division II’s Pittsburg State Gorillas.
All four of Dennis and Valerie Meier's sons earned all-state honors and all four played in the Kansas Shrine Bowl.
It’s truly been one of the state’s best stories.
Sadly, though, tragedy struck the Meier family in April. Just days before Kerry was to be selected in the NFL Draft, Dylan died while hiking with family in Arkansas. Dylan, who was a quarterback at Kansas State from 2002-2006, was only 26 years old.
“It’s one of those things that you never dreamt would have happened,” Kerry said. “It quickly became reality that this is how it’s going to be. But I’m going to continue to live through him. He’s going to continue to push me. He’s such a huge part of where I am today.”
Kerry was a freshman when Dylan was a senior at Pittsburg High. Going with his older brother for extra practice time or film sessions, Kerry learned the value of going the extra mile.
“He taught me the importance of getting a step on the opponent,” Kerry said. “He was a firm believer of getting that step in the film room. One story that sticks out is when we got off the bus one night after a road game. It was a long bus ride back, and when we got there he goes straight in to watch film from the game.
“Six or seven years later, I can understand why he was doing that.”
It appeared Kerry was going to follow Dylan’s path as a college quarterback.
As a redshirt freshman, Kerry started eight games as the signal caller for the Kansas Jayhawks. He completed 104-of-184 passes for 1,193 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Despite his success, Meier was unseated at quarterback in his sophomore year by Todd Reesing. While remaining the backup quarterback, Meier began to work some as a wide receiver. He eventually started five games at the position in 2007, catching 26 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Meier became the first player at KU to record a rushing, passing and receiving touchdown in the same season since 1981.
His leaping TD grab against Iowa State earned him the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline “Dream Season.”
KU’s dream year in 2007 ended with a 24-21 win in the Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech. Meier caught four passes for 44 yards in the game.
Over the next two seasons, Meier continued to grow as a wide receiver. By the time he was done at KU, he had grabbed 226 career receptions for 2,309 yards and 18 touchdowns. His 226 catches is a school record.
Not too shabby for a kid who always thought he would be a quarterback.
“My ultimate dream was always to be in the NFL, but it was never as a wide receiver. I always thought it would be at quarterback. Now, I’m just very happy to be on the verge of playing in the NFL. I’m excited to get the opportunity to play at a professional level.”
The message boards on Falcons’ fan sites are already envisioning Meier as a hard working possession receiver and someone who will have the ability to convert on some trick plays.
Meier is just excited about the opportunity, no matter how he may be used.
“The dream is right in my grasp,” he said. “I have the opportunity to continue my football career.”
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