Player Bio
Burks' was named to the 2016 Allstate-AFCA FBS National Good Works Team for his work in the community. He was a defensive co-captain for the Commodores as a junior, starting 10 of 13 games played, racking up 59 stops, 6.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception and six pass breakups. He following up that season with a strong senior campaign, making 82 tackles, seven for loss, one interception, and three pass breakups. Burks actually played safety in 2014, starting all 12 games and leading the team with three interceptions (also compiling 59 tackles, two for loss, six pass breakups). The first-team all-state high school football player from Virginia played a significant role as a redshirt freshman in 2014 despite missing four games due to injury; he started seven of eight games played, making 37 tackles and breaking up seven passes at safety.
Analysis:
By: Lance Zierlein NFL Analyst
Draft Projection: Rounds 4-5
NFL Comparison: Tahir Whitehead
Overview:
In any other decade, Burks' lack of familiarity for any position for more than a year would force him into the "tweener" stack and he would be on his way. In today's game filled with hybrid players and sub-packages, Burks' background could make him more valuable. He needs to play with more consistency in diagnosing and tackling, but his athleticism, cover talent, and ability on special teams make him a developmental prospect with decent upside.Strengths
- Well-proportioned between upper and lower body
- Has broad back and long arms
- Leader on and off the field
- Has experience at three different positions over the last three seasons
- Fits as 4-3 WILL or 3-4 inside linebacker
- Former safety with athletic ability to handle coverage duties at linebacker
- Range and pursuit speed is above average
- Possesses good lateral twitch
- Has reactive athleticism to spring into adjacent gap as tackler
- Plays with good toughness
- Willing to take on pulling guards with good force
- Continued to improve as season progressed
- Has talent to become a core special-teamer
Weaknesses
- Will make mistakes in diagnosing that pull him out of position
- Still learning the position, but instincts may be average for a role as inside linebacker
- Below average punching and playing off blockers
- Gets engulfed and will need to become more capable in slipping or playing around blocks
- Gets neutralized in the hole
- Has to become more effective at imposing his will despite physical challenges
- Consistency as a tackler is a concern
- Doesn't flow with leverage and will overshoot the ball carrier
- Needs to tackle with better positioning to finish what he starts
