2025 NFL draft profile: Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III

On Oct. 19, 2021, East St. Louis wide receiver Luther Burden III sat in his high school gym, ready to make his college decision. In front of him sat three hats — Georgia, Alabama and Missouri — each symbolizing a diverging path for his football career.

A coveted five-star recruit in the 2022 class, ESPN ranked Burden as the nation’s top wide receiver and No. 5 overall player. He earned this distinction with a strong senior season, totalling 66 receptions for 1,085 yards and 18 receiving touchdowns. His talent drew nationwide attention, including from national championship-winning coaches Kirby Smart and Nick Saban. Alongside Southeastern Conference powerhouses, Missouri and its second-year head coach, Eliah Drinkwitz, remained firmly in the mix for the in-state star.

With the chance to join a perennial contender, Burden picked up the Georgia and Alabama hats, weighing his options. In a decisive motion, he set them aside and crowned himself with the Tigers’ sigil, making his collegiate intentions clear.

“It just felt like I needed to be there, and I need to make a change in my home state,” Burden told KSDK after his commitment.

After three seasons with Missouri, Burden felt ready for the next chapter, declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. His playmaking ability helped lift the Tigers from SEC mediocrity to national relevance while earning All-American and All-SEC honors. His dominance also earned him a spot as a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, given to the nation’s top wide receiver.

College Career

In his freshman season, Burden totaled 463 yards from scrimmage, playing in all 13 games. However, his sophomore year cemented his status as one of college football’s top playmakers. With wide receiver Dominic Lovett’s departure to Georgia via the transfer portal, Burden had the opportunity to showcase his skill set, particularly in the slot. He dazzled in run-after-catch situations as the team’s primary pass catcher.

As a sophomore, Burden helped lead the Tigers to an 11-2 record, with several season-defining moments coming late into close games.

Against Florida on Nov. 18, 2023, Missouri trailed 31-30 in the final minute of regulation. Facing a fourth down and needing 17 yards to convert, senior quarterback Brady Cook connected with Burden up the middle, setting up a game-winning field goal.

Burden’s breakout campaign ended with 1,212 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, earning him 2023 Associated Press second-team All-American honors.

Initially projected as a potential top-10 pick by Bleacher Report ahead of his junior season, Burden is now a likely late first or early second-round selection due to a significant drop-off in production. Much like the rest of the offense, he endured a slump, often disappearing in big games.

Burden finished with 676 receiving yards on 61 receptions and six touchdowns. Despite the statistical decline, he still showed flashes of brilliance, including an overtime touchdown against Vanderbilt in Week 4. The catch tied the game and sent the Tigers into a second overtime period, where they eventually prevailed.

In addition to his impact in the passing game, Burden’s contributions on the ground were a bright spot. His nine rush attempts totaled 115 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his open-field explosiveness.

Player Comparisons

Burden’s physical traits resemble NFL standouts, such as Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. At the 2025 NFL Combine, Burden measured 6 feet tall and 206 pounds, nearly identical to McLaurin’s 6-foot, 208-pound frame at the 2019 combine. Burden’s 4.41-second 40-yard dash also closely mirrored McLaurin’s time of 4.35 seconds at their respective combine showings.

His dynamic play style has also drawn comparisons to new Commanders wide receiver and former 49ers star Deebo Samuel Sr., who broke out as a first-team All-Pro selection in 2021. Like Samuel, Burden can contribute both as an athletic slot receiver and a ball carrier as a modern Swiss Army Knife weapon. He is capable of lining up anywhere on the field and finding a way to make impactful plays.

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko even praised Burden while addressing the similarities with Samuel ahead of Elko’s Aggies facing Burden and the Tigers in 2024.

“We always try to make the best comparisons we can think of, and the best one we could think of was Deebo Samuel when he was a South Carolina,” Elko mentioned when asked about Burden. “I think Luther is maybe even more of an advanced pass-catcher at this point in his career.

Potential Landing Spots

Burden’s ideal fit is with a team seeking a versatile playmaker similar to Samuel. Several teams with picks in the late first or early second round are in the market for wide receivers. Among them are the Commanders, who hold the No. 29 pick and could use a third option alongside McLaurin and Samuel.

Rounding out the list of first-round suitors are the Buffalo Bills (No. 30) and Kansas City Chiefs (No. 31). Both are in urgent need of receiver depth for quarterbacks Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, respectively.

Among second-round possibilities, the Tennessee Titans (No. 35) and New England Patriots (No. 38) are rebuilding and looking for young pass catchers to build their offenses around.

Nearly four years after setting aside the Georgia and Alabama hats in his high school gym in favor of Missouri’s, Luther Burden III finds himself at another career crossroads. This time, however, the choice isn’t his to make — NFL franchises will now determine his fate.

What hasn’t changed is his dynamic skill set. Burden remains the type of player who can impact the game all over the field. Just as he did in his high school gym, Burden seems poised to make his mark, this time on a much larger stage.

Edited by Colin Simmons l csimmons@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Avery Copeland and Ava Mohror | amohror@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com