An NFL Draft insider has raised a significant concern regarding former Alabama star Jermaine Burton, highlighting potential off-field issues. The 2024 NFL Draft is witnessing a deep pool of wide receiver talent, with Burton adding to the class’s strength. However, reports suggest that he carries off-field worries.
Standing at 6 feet tall, Burton was highly regarded as a four-star recruit and ranked 58th in the 2020 class by 247 Sports. His collegiate journey began with the Georgia Bulldogs, where he showcased his skills with 901 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in his initial two seasons.
After securing a national championship with Georgia in 2021, Burton transferred to Alabama, seeking a fresh start and a more prominent role in the offense. His time with the Crimson Tide was productive, amassing 79 receptions, 1,475 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns over two years before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
During the pre-draft assessments, Burton impressed with his athletic abilities, recording a 9.09 Relative Athletic Score aided by impressive metrics such as a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and an 11’01’’ broad jump. However, concerns emerged regarding his maturity and compatibility with NFL coaching staffs.
NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler voiced these concerns on “The Athletic Football Show,” emphasizing that despite Burton’s talent, questions about his consistency on and off the field linger. Brugler noted that Burton’s history of transferring between schools (six schools in eight years) and reportedly being on the “s— list” of coaches at Georgia and Alabama raised red flags.
Burton’s college stats reflect his on-field prowess with 132 receptions, 2,376 receiving yards, and 23 touchdowns across 50 games. However, his history of school transfers, including a high school stint at Calabasas High School in California and IMG Academy in Florida, adds complexity to his evaluation.
Ultimately, feedback from coaching staffs at Georgia and Alabama will heavily influence where Burton lands in the 2024 NFL Draft, underscoring the importance of assessing both his talent and character for prospective teams.
