Luther Burden III will flip professional this spring. The Missouri wideout confirmed on Monday he’ll declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, foregoing the crew’s bowl recreation within the course of.
“I really feel like that is the most effective time to enter the draft,” Burden mentioned, via ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “I’m assured in myself and what I can do on the subsequent degree. I’m prepared for the subsequent step.”
Burden made an impression as a real freshman in 2022. He recorded 375 yards on 45 catches, scoring eight complete touchdowns (six receiving and two speeding). Final season noticed him take a notable step ahead with a stat line of 86-1,212-9. That manufacturing earned him first-team All-SEC honors and helped Burden enter the 2024 marketing campaign as one of many high draft-eligible receivers.
Whereas the Tigers went 9-3 this season, their offense took a step again in comparison with 2023. Burden’s reception (61), yardage (676) and landing (six) totals all regressed, as did his effectivity (11.1 yards per catch). Nonetheless, the 5-foot-11, 208-pounder ought to discover himself squarely on the Day 1 radar come April’s draft.
Burden is seen as a top-five receiver prospect by ESPN’s draft analysts, with Matt Miller slotting him on the high of the board on the WR spot. The title of No. 1 possibility at that place could properly belong to two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter, who, as anticipated, will also be in the 2025 class.
It stays to be seen if Hunter will play on offense or protection within the NFL (if not each), although. When it comes to pure receivers, Burden is joined by the likes of Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) and Isaiah Bond (Texas) as prospects who is not going to want to attend lengthy to listen to their names referred to as.
Given his dimension and ability set — which entails loads of manufacturing after the catch — Burden has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel. Groups in want of pass-catching assist will surely welcome the opportunity of Burden having fun with the same profession to the 49ers All-Professional. In any case, he will probably be one of many high prospects to observe all through the predraft course of.
