Behind the Numbers: Best #1-10, #9 Louis Delmas

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Counting up through the jersey number list, it's time to look back and reflect on the one through 10. Out of all the players looked at and awarded with best individual number. We'll see who the top player is coming out of the jersey number one through 10 group. 

In case you missed here are the winners from each jersey number:

#1-Steve Neal, WR (1997-2000)

#2-Ronald Rogers, CB (1998-2001)

#3-Tim Hiller, QB (2005, 2007-2009)

#4-Josh Bush, WR (1998-2001)

#5-Jonathan Drach, QB (1999-2002)

#6-Londen Fryar, CB (2004-2006,2008)

#7-Zak Kemp, P (1995-1997)

#8-Willie Berriors, SS (2005-2008)

#9-Louis Delmas, CB (2005-2008)

#10-Joe Chapple, WR (2003-2006)

Combining all of the players that have wore jerseys 1-10, the stats shows that players offensively made 1900 receptions, gained 53,025 yards and scored 347 touchdowns. Defensively players had 1936 tackles, 98 interceptions and 18 forced fumbles.

Just including the winners of the best jersey per number, offensively they racked up 460 receptions, 6,232 receiving yards, 14,708 passing yards and 166 touchdowns. Defensively, making up four of the 10, they managed to get 982 tackles and 33 interceptions.

Out of the 10 players that wore the numbers 1-10, the one with the most statistical success and accolades is none other than safety Louis Delmas.

Delmas is a safety for the Detroit Lions as he was drafted 33rd overall in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Before getting to the NFL, Delmas had 310 career tackles at WMU, along with 12 interceptions returning one for a touchdown.  He earned Second Team All-MAC (2005, 2007) and was First Team All-MAC in 2008.  He was also named  Phil Steele's Fourth Team All America.  

In only three years in the NFL, he has provided the Lions with 229 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.  His best year was his rookie year in 2009 where he had 94 total tackles with two interceptions. Taking one interception to the end zone for a touchdown. He was also the first rookie in NFL history to score on an interception, fumble recovery and safety in the same season.

In 2011, leading the Detroit Lions defense to a playoff appearance, Delmas had 51 tackles and one fumble recovery in 11 games.  

You the fans have been voting all week for the best 1-10 and after polls on both wmubroncos.com and facebook.com/wmubroncofans, you've decided with 46.2 percent of the vote that Louis Delmas is the best player to wear jersey number 1-10.  Wide receiver Steve Neal came in second with 23.1 percent, followed by quarterback Tim Hiller with 19.2 percent.

Fans were offered a write-in candidate and that was defensive back Brian Johnson (1987-1990) who gained 11.5 percent of the vote. Johnson during his career recorded 176 tackles, 8 interceptions with two getting returned for touchdowns.

Thank you Bronco fans for voting! Make sure to stay tuned for Monday, June 11 as we unveil the next installment in the Behind the Numbers series with numbers 11-20.