Tiger freshman could be a burden for Georgia's defense
Tiger freshman could be a burden for Georgia's defense
ATHENS — Georgia head coach Kirby Smart knows the potential threat that Missouri freshman wide receiver Luther Burden could be for the Bulldogs’ defense on Saturday.
The former No. 1 wideout in the class of 2022 is a dynamic and physical specimen.
“Size, elite skillset, he’s strong,” Smart told reporters on Monday. “He’s physical. You watch him as a returner, he makes people miss. They find ways to get him the football. He’s a very elusive, physical runner, you can tell when people go to tackle him, he’s stout.”
Burden has hauled in 10 receptions for 78 yards and a TD through Missouri’s first four games. He has a rough start to the season, however, he could get hot at any moment for the Tigers. Burden also returns punts for the Missouri special teams unit. So far, he’s returned five punts for a total of 114 yards, including a 78-yard TD against Abilene Christian.
Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo knows what Burden is capable of.
“I’ve seen a couple of games from him at Mizzou and high school. Pretty good player,” Ringo said. “Good speed, good size. Honestly, like every week I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The former five-star prospect chose to go to Missouri over Georgia, which finished second in his recruitment. The Bulldogs missed out on having a dynamic and versatile player such as Burden in their 2022 recruiting haul. Regardless, they pulled in four-star wide receivers De’Nylon Morrissette, C.J. Smith, and three-star pass-catcher Dillon Bell.
Smart knows how “elusive” Burden can be in the backfield and on special teams as a returner.
“He’s strong. He’s physical. You watch him as a returner, he makes people miss,” Smart said. “They find ways to get him touches. He catches the ball out of the backfield, and speed sweeps. He runs deep and he returns the ball. He’s a very elusive, physical runner. You can tell when people go to tackle him, you can tell, he’s really stout.”
However, Burden might be limited in action due to a lower leg injury. sustained earlier this season. He didn’t catch a pass in the Tigers’ 17-14 loss to Auburn last weekend.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel published a report on Saturday morning that Burden is “questionable.”
“I’m told he’s going to play today. He’s going to be 80 percent,” Thamel said. “They may not be able to use him in all the ways they have. … The sources I talked to in Columbia (Missouri) this week say he’s locked in and ready to go for the rest of this season.”