Luther Burden’s flashy pace, ball expertise and open-field electrical energy had professional scouts’ consideration earlier than he ever signed with Missouri as 247Sports’ No. 2 receiver within the 2022 highschool class. Many lauded the East St. Louis (Illinois) product’s choice to remain near residence and play for the Tigers — and together with his assist, Missouri went from 6-7 his freshman yr to a 21-5 file over the subsequent two seasons.
His loyalty to this system and cornerstone standing in this system’s turnaround made him a hero amongst Missouri followers, however it could have additionally price him within the NFL Draft course of.
In his most up-to-date board, ESPN NFL Draft reporter Matt Miller expressed concern about Burden’s inventory. Miller rated Burden No. 13, however stated he would doubtless fall out of the highest 15.
“He could be drafted decrease because of issues NFL groups have about his statistical drop-off,” Miller wrote.
CBS Sports activities NFL Draft consultants echo the priority. Regardless of rating No. 13 within the CBS Sports activities NFL Draft Prospect Rankings, not one of the six CBS NFL Draft consultants challenge Burden to go larger than No. 21. A number of challenge two or three receivers going forward of Burden within the draft.
By any metric, Burden took a step again in 2024. After exploding for 86 catches for 1,212 yards and 9 touchdowns, he fell to solely 676 yards and 6 touchdowns throughout a irritating last marketing campaign. Regardless of getting into the yr because the prohibitive favourite to win the Biletnikoff Trophy as the perfect receiver within the nation, he failed to complete among the many SEC’s high 15 in receiving yards.
Most of the struggles weren’t his fault. Mizzou’s offense took an enormous step again in 2024 due to inconsistent offensive line play and accidents to quarterback Brady Cook dinner. The working sport dropped to 4.1 yards per carry after the lack of working again Cody Schrader, making Burden the first focus for opposing defenses.
The Tigers additionally struggled to focus on Burden in comparable spots to the place he had success a yr prior. Burden was focused 44 instances behind the road of scrimmage and posted 10.3 yards after catch per try in 2023. He was focused 21 whole instances behind the road in 2024, and mustered solely 8.1 yards after catch. Most maddening, he dropped from 9.7 yards after catch on 10-19 yard receptions in 2023 to 0.6 in 2024. That is a easy indicator of dangerous timing between a quarterback and receiver.
This was the case that many tried to make to Burden’s camp over the offseason as he fielded main affords to switch. Broad receiver has rapidly turn into a premiere place within the switch portal with gamers like Evan Stewart, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Ja’Corey Brooks making fast impacts. However as a substitute of leaving for greener pastures, he held agency at Missouri.
Burden dedicated to Missouri out of highschool as a result of he wished to set a pattern of St. Louis gamers staying in state and taking part in at Missouri. Lately, they have been in a position to succeed, together with maintaining each the No. 1 and a couple of gamers within the state in 2025. Regardless that Burden didn’t play within the Music Metropolis Bowl win, he was on the sidelines supporting.
From a program perspective, Burden sits as one of the necessary gamers in Tigers’ historical past. Burden helped lead Mizzou to a Cotton Bowl victory in 2023 — this system’s first New Years Six win since 2013. Regardless that his manufacturing suffered as a junior, it arrange Theo Wease to haul in 60 catches for 884 yards and 4 touchdowns as a sixth-year senior. By all accounts, Burden left this system higher than he discovered it.
And in the course of the pre-draft course of, Burden’s achieved job of alleviating among the points. He ran a blazing 4.41 within the 40-yard sprint on the mix at 6-foot and 206 kilos. With extra optimistic exercises, there’s an opportunity he might work his manner again up.
Burden has all the abilities and expertise to succeed on the subsequent stage. Some NFL workforce goes to reap the advantages. CBS Sports activities’ Chris Trapasso initiatives Burden to the Lions, the place he might rapidly contribute to a Tremendous Bowl-caliber roster.
But when Burden slips within the draft, even out of the primary spherical, it should put extra highlight on Missouri’s struggles to maximise him throughout his irritating junior season.
