Lawrence Ricks

Last updated

Lawrence Ricks
No. 46 (Michigan), 42 (Chiefs)
Position: Running back, kick returner
Personal information
Born: (1961-06-04) June 4, 1961 (age 62)
Barberton, Ohio, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Barberton
(Barberton, Ohio)
College: Michigan
NFL draft: 1983  / Round: 8 / Pick: 220
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:17
Rushing yards:29
Kickoff return yards:83
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Lawrence Tallmagde Ricks (born June 4, 1961) is a former American football player. He played college football as a tailback for the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1982 and was selected as a first-team running back on the 1982 All-Big Ten Conference football team. He also played professional football as a backup running back and kick returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL) in 1983 and 1984.

Contents

Early years

Ricks was born in Barberton, Ohio, in 1961. He attended Barberton High School. [1] [2] In October 1978, he rushed for 215 yards on 19 carries and four touchdowns in a 34-0 victory over Walsh Jesuit High School. [3] He was a part of the Barberton High National Honor Society.

College career

Ricks enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1979 and played college football for Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1979 to 1982. As a sophomore, Ricks shared the tailback position on the 1980 Michigan Wolverines football team with Butch Woolfolk, [2] with each starting six games at the position. [4] He gained 850 rushing yards on 167 carries, with six rushing touchdowns. [5]

As a junior, he saw his playing time reduced and was the team's fourth-leading rusher, gaining 413 yards on 86 carries for the 1981 Michigan team. Tailback Woolfolk, fullback Stan Edwards, and quarterback Steve Smith each had more rushing carries and yards than Ricks during the season. [5]

Ricks had his best season as a senior for the 1982 Michigan team, taking over as Woolfolk's replacement. He started all 12 games at tailback and gained 1,388 rushing yards (second in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation) on 266 carries (5.2-yards per carry, 118.2-yards per game), with 8 touchdowns. [5] [6]

He had seven 100-yard games during the season, including a career-high 196-yard game against Purdue and a 177-yard game against Illinois. In his final game for Michigan, he was the rushing leader in the 1983 Rose Bowl against UCLA. [5] At the end of the year, he was selected by the Associated Press as a first-team running back on the 1982 All-Big Ten Conference football team. [7]

Over the course of his four-year career at Michigan, Ricks totaled 2,751 rushing yards (at the time fifth on the school's career list) on 541 carries (5.1 yards per carry) and 24 touchdowns. [5]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Ricks was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (220th overall pick) of the 1983 NFL Draft. He was also selected by the Michigan Panthers in the 1983 USFL Territorial Draft: [8] On August 24, before the start of the season, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a seventh round draft choice (#178-Karl Powe). [9] [10] He only had one carry during the team's first three preseason games.

Kansas City Chiefs

Looking for a successor to the late Joe Delaney, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired a series of running backs during the 1983 preseason. Ricks appeared in 12 games (none as a starter), as a rookie, gaining only 28 rushing yards on 21 carries. [1]

On August 30, 1984, he was placed on waivers by the Chiefs, but was re-signed three days later. [10] During the season, he appeared in only five games and was used primarily as a kickoff returner. He gained one rushing yard on two carries and 83 return yards on five kickoff returns. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Lytle</span> American football player (1954–2010)

Robert William Lytle was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL).

Harold E. "Butch" Woolfolk is an American former professional football player who was a running back and kick returner in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines (1978–1981) before playing in the NFL for the New York Giants (1982–1984), Houston Oilers (1985–1986) and Detroit Lions (1987–1988). Woolfolk attended Westfield Senior High School in Westfield, New Jersey. Woolfolk led Michigan in rushing three straight years and set the school record with 3,850 rushing yards while playing for the Wolverines from 1978 to 1981. As a sophomore in 1979, he was the Big Ten Conference scoring champion, and he went on to become a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. He had his best season as a senior at Michigan, winning the 1981 Big Ten rushing title and falling just 10 yards short of Rob Lytle's single-season rushing yards record. He was also selected in 1981 as the Most Valuable Player of both the Rose Bowl played January 1, 1981, and the Bluebonnet Bowl played December 31, 1981, as well as the Wolverines' team MVP for the season.

Leroy J. Hoard is an American former football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons for the Cleveland Browns from 1990 to 1995 and the Minnesota Vikings from 1996 to 1999. He also played briefly for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens during the 1996 NFL season. In a 10-year NFL career, Hoard appeared in 144 games, totaled 3,964 rushing yards and 2,430 receiving yards and scored 51 touchdowns.

Stanley J. Edwards is an American former professional football player who was a running back for six years in the National Football League (NFL). A native of Detroit, Edwards played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1977 to 1981 and was selected in the third round of the 1982 NFL draft. Edwards played in the and NFL for the Houston Oilers (1982–1986) and Detroit Lions (1987). His son, Braylon Edwards, also played football at Michigan and in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Davis (running back)</span> American football player (born 1956)

Russell Davis, III is a former American football player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1975 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1975 Big Ten Conference football season. In it seventh season under head coach Bo Schembechler, Michigan compiled an 8–2–2 record, outscored all opponents by a total of 324 to 130, and was ranked No. 8 in the final AP and UPI polls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1980 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 12th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–2 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington in the 1981 Rose Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 322 to 129. The Rose Bowl victory was Schembechler's first in a bowl game, following seven bowl games losses. After falling out of the rankings for four weeks, the 1980 Wolverines ended up being ranked No. 4 in both the AP and UPI polls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1969 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1969 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1969 Big Ten Conference football season. In their first year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled an 8–3 record, played in the 1970 Rose Bowl, and finished the season ranked No. 9 in the final AP poll and No. 8 in the final UPI poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1982 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1982 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1982 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 14th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled an 8–4 record, won the Big Ten championship, lost to UCLA in the 1983 Rose Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 345 to 204.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1981 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1981 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1981 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 13th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 9–3 record and outscored all opponents by a total of 355 to 162. Ranked No. 1 by both the AP and UPI in the preseason polls, Michigan lost to Wisconsin in its season opener, then defeated No. 1 Notre Dame the following week, and ended its season with a victory over UCLA in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. The Wolverines were ranked No. 10 in the final UPI poll and No. 12 in the AP Poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1984 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1984 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 16th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 6–6 record and outscored opponents by a total of 214 to 200. It was the only team in Michigan's 21 seasons under coach Schembechler that did not finish its season with a winning record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1983 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1983 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 15th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 9–3 record, lost to Auburn in the 1984 Sugar Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 355 to 160.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1979 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1979 Big Ten Conference football season. In its 100th season of intercollegiate football, the 11th under head coach Bo Schembechler, Michigan compiled an 8–4 record, lost to North Carolina in the 1979 Gator Bowl, was ranked No. 18 in the final AP Poll, and outscored opponents by a total of 312 to 151.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1978 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1978 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 10th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–2 record, tied for the Big Ten championship, outscored opponents by a total of 372 to 105, and were ranked No. 5 in the final AP and UPI polls. The defense allowed only 94.6 passing yards per game and ranked second in the country in scoring defense, allowing an average of only 8.75 points per game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1977 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1977 Big Ten Conference football season. In its ninth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the team compiled a 10–2 record, tied with Ohio State for the Big Ten Conference championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 353 to 124. The Wolverines were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll midway through the season but were upset by the unranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. In the final game of the regular season, Michigan beat No. 4 Ohio State but lost to No. 13 Washington in the 1978 Rose Bowl. In the final AP and UPI polls, Michigan was ranked No. 9 and No. 8, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1976 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1976 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1976 Big Ten Conference football season. In their eighth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines finished the season with a 10–2 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, and played in the 1977 Rose Bowl. The Wolverines outscored their opponents 432 to 95 and ranked first in the country in total offense, scoring offense, and scoring defense. In the final AP and UPI Polls, Michigan was ranked #3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1974 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1974 Big Ten Conference football season. In their sixth year under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–1 record, outscored opponents 324 to 75, and were ranked #3 in final AP Poll. Michigan won the first ten games of the 1974 season in convincing fashion, including blowout victories over Colorado (31-0), Navy (52-0), Minnesota (49-0), and Purdue (51-0). In the final game of the season, #2 Michigan faced #3 Ohio State. The Wolverines lost by a score of 12-10, as place-kicker Mike Lantry missed a last-minute field goal that would have given Michigan a victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1970 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1970 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1970 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 9–1 record, tied for second place in the conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 288 to 90. Michigan's victories included intersectional contests with Arizona (20–9), Washington (17–3), and Texas A&M (14–10). The team won its first nine games before losing to rival Ohio State and was ranked No. 7 in the final UPI Poll and No. 9 in the final AP Poll

Ed Shuttlesworth is a former American football fullback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald White</span> American football player (born 1964)

Gerald Eugene White is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Michigan.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Lawrence Ricks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Sharing Tailback Spot With Woolfolk: Ricks: super sophomore!". The Michigan Daily. October 2, 1980. p. 10. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ "High School Football". The Bryan Times. October 26, 1978. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  4. ↑ "1980 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Michigan Football Statistic Archive". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on November 12, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  6. ↑ "He Makes Offense Go: Ricks Michigan's Key". Ludington Daily News (AP story). December 29, 1982. p. 6. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  7. ↑ Joe Mooshil (November 30, 1982). "Carter, Bostic, Lukens Top All-Big Ten Football Team". The Blade, Toledo, Ohio (AP story). p. 26. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Panthers' Picks". The Argus-Press (AP story). January 5, 1983. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Chiefs acquire pair of backs". Fort Scott, Kan., Tribune. August 25, 1983. p. 6. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  10. 1 2 "Chiefs resign running back". Fort scott, Kan., Tribune. August 31, 1984. p. 6. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.