On Oct. 20, high school five-star wide receiver Luther Burden will make his college commitment. In his senior season at East St. Louis high school, Burden is proving why he’s the 11th best player in the nation, currently sitting with 518 total receiving yards, 86.3 receiving yards per game and 12 total touchdowns. Burden has listed his final 3 to Alabama, Georgia, and Missouri. With three different options, here is a look at how each decision may impact his college career.
Georgia Bulldogs
A storied program like Georgia makes sense for a prospect as promising as Burden. The Bulldogs have constantly ranked at the top of the SEC every year and appeared in the national championship game back in 2018.
Per 247Sports, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart’s 2022 recruiting class is currently ranked fourth in the nation, second in the SEC and his upcoming recruiting class consists of 17 players, including 3 wide receivers that Burden would compete against for playing time. One such player is four-star De’Nylon Morrissette, who MaxPreps named a 2nd-team All-American as a sophomore. Aside from his recruiting class, Burden would also have to compete with and learn from receivers Jermaine Burton and Adonai Mitchell, who are both underclassmen making big impacts in Athens this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide
If Burden wants to compete for a national championship every year, his best bet may be Alabama. Head coach Nick Saban’s history of producing NFL-ready wide receivers, such as Amari Cooper and DeVonta Smith, is well noted.
Saban’s next recruiting class currently ranks third nationally and first in the SEC. If Burden chooses to further his career in Tuscaloosa, he could have a chance to make an immediate impact with only one other wide receiver in the class. With John Metchie III and Jameson Williams as juniors, there is a chance that Burden would see the field a lot sooner rather than later.
Missouri Tigers
The last time Missouri landed a 5-star receiver was in 2012, when Dorial Green-Beckham committed to the Tigers. So far, head coach Eli Drinkwitz’s 2022 recruiting class is ranked 18th in the nation and sixth in the SEC. Burden’s commitment would only elevate those numbers.
Burden still faces competition at Missouri since they have depth at the wide receiver position with redshirt junior Tauskie Dove, redshirt freshman Chance Luper and freshman Dominic Lovett, who should all be back next season. Still, if Burden commits to Missouri, he could play and learn from them and fit his way into the wide receiver combination. This would lead to Burden playing a bigger part in the Tigers’ rebuild and help Missouri become an SEC contender.
Edited by Kyle Pinnell | kpinnell@themaneater.com
