Jermaine Burton heads to the 2024 NFL Draft after a four-year college career where he proved a reliable, consistent target at two SEC blue-blood programs.
From winning a National Championship in Athens to becoming a WR1 in Tuscaloosa, Burton’s college stats show why he led the Alabama Crimson Tide in receiving yards for two seasons.
Jermaine Burton Starts Early in Freshman Season
Burton’s journey began as a promising four-star recruit from Calabasas High School in California, who quickly made his mark on the field. In his freshman season, he started seven games and participated in 10. His debut against Arkansas, where he had one reception for 13 yards, was just the beginning of his impressive career.
The best game of Burton’s rookie season in Athens came against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, where he had eight catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance, flashing high upside in his first year with the program.
Burton’s contributions were significant. He ended the season ranked second on the team with 26 receptions and 404 receiving yards. His performance played a crucial role in the team’s 12-2 season, culminating in a Sugar Bowl win.
Receptions: 27
Receiving Yards: 404
Receiving Touchdowns: 3
Burton Wins National Championship As a Sophomore
Entering 2021, Georgia had a plethora of pass-catching weapons. Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Adonai Mitchell, Kearis Jackson, and George Pickens all occupied roster spots. However, Burton was still productive, finishing second on the team with 497 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns.
Burton played in 14 of 15 games in Georgia’s National Championship-winning season and contributed throughout. In the title game against Alabama, the receiver caught two passes for 28 yards, one of which was an all-important 18-yard catch in the fourth quarter in Georgia’s go-ahead touchdown drive.
Despite the team’s National Championship win, Jermaine Burton made a surprising move to enter the transfer portal. His decision was driven by a desire to make the best choice for his family and himself, with a focus on a potential NFL future.
The receiver sought a new opportunity to increase his usage, a decision that reflected his ambitious mentality by transferring to an SEC rival.
Receptions: 26
Receiving Yards: 497
Receiving Touchdowns: 5
Alabama Bound, Burton Transfers in Junior Year
Burton transferred to Alabama for his junior season. As playmakers left for the NFL Draft, spots in the wide receiver rotation opened up in Tuscaloosa. It took the talented WR only a short time to make an impression and he ended up starting 12 games in his debut season with the program.
His Crimson Tide debut came against Utah State when Burton hauled five catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns. He quickly became Bryce Young’s favorite target as the wide receiver set career highs in 2022.
Burton logged 40 receptions on his way to leading Alabama with 677 receiving yards and finished second on the team with seven receiving touchdowns. His most productive performance of the year came against Austin Peay when the Crimson Tide receiver caught seven touchdowns for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
However, Burton’s most productive year was tainted by accusations of hitting a fan during Alabma’s loss to Tennessee as the crowd stormed the Neyland Stadium field.
Receptions: 40
Receiving Yards: 677
Receiving Touchdowns: 7
Burton Leads Alabama As a Senior
Despite Bryce Young declaring for the NFL Draft, Burton returned to Tuscaloosa for his senior season with Jalen Milroe entering as the Crimson Tide’s new starting quarterback.
It ended up being a decision that resulted in Burton’s most productive year, leading the team with 798 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Burton caught three passes for 62 yards and one touchdown in the season opener against Middle Tennessee State and also caught two passes for 58 yards and one touchdown in the Crimson Tide’s Week 2 loss to Texas.
KEEP READING: Alabama Crimson Tide’s Top 10 Returning Players in 2024
The biggest game of Burton’s 2023 campaign was against Texas A&M, where he won the Offensive Player of the Week for his nine catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
Burton ended the season leading the SEC with 20.5 yards per catch as he drew his college career to a close and declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Receptions: 39
Receiving Yards: 798
Receiving Touchdowns: 8
Burton’s Final College Stats
Receptions: 132
Receiving Yards: 2,376
Receiving Touchdowns: 23
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