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*** [RD 3] Bengals Select ~ JERMAINE BURTON, WR ***


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Jermaine Burton

Jermaine Burton headshot
ALABAMA
WR

Prospect Info

COLLEGE
Alabama
HOMETOWN
CLASS
Calabasas, CA
Senior
 
HEIGHT
6’ 0’’
WEIGHT
196 lbs
ARM
31’’
HAND
9 7/8’
 

Overview

While the catch totals and yardage weren't necessarily prolific, Burton's tape is very appealing. He has pretty good size and plays bigger than he measures. He can fight through press, get physical at the break point and carve out space on 50/50 balls. Burton wasn't asked to run an extended route tree, but he has the traits and ball skills to work all three levels against NFL cornerbacks. He caught a touchdown pass every 5.7 grabs during his college career, but he would have scored even more if not for some mistimed throws when he had opened the window wide. Burton's athletic profile and ball skills create confidence that he can become a solid WR2/3 in the league.

Strengths

  • Rarely bothered by physical route redirection.
  • Well-conceived speed variances inside some routes.
  • Quick plant-and-open for stop routes and back-shoulder fades.
  • Hands are big, strong and almost automatic when he's open.
  • Frame and demeanor to beat physical corners at catch point.
  • Premium deep-ball tracker with know-how to control late catch space.
  • Finds a second gear to help run down the deep ball.

Sources Tell Us
"He went to IMG Academy (for high school), Georgia and Alabama. Right off the bat you already know he will have size and athleticism and that he can take hard coaching." -- NFC regional scout

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17. JERMAINE BURTON | Alabama 6002 | 196 lbs. | 4SR Calabasas, Calif. (Calabasas) 6/28/2001 (age 22.83) #3

 

BACKGROUND: Jermaine Burton, who has an older sister (Sienna Borho), grew up in the Atlanta area. He started playing football at the youth level and later trained with Terrence Edwards, the former Georgia receiving great. After attending middle school in Marietta, Ga., Burton enrolled at Hapeville Charter High School outside of Atlanta in 2016 and created recruiting buzz as a freshman. For his sophomore season, he transferred to football powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where he was teammates with several future NFL players (CB Greg Newsome, Edge Nolan Smith and OT Evan Neal). He finished 2017 with 14 catches for 332 yards and three touchdowns. Feeling homesick, Burton returned to the Atlanta area in the spring of 2018 and enrolled at Marietta Hi gh School. However, he was deemed ineligible under Georgia high school rules, and he was forced to examine out-of-state options. Along with his mother (Sheri) and sister, Burton moved to Southern California prior to the 2018 season to enroll at Calabasas High School. He joined a wide receiver depth chart that included highly recruited receivers Johnny Wilson and Mycah Pittman (and he was coached by former NFL receiver Curtis Conway). Burton accounted for 40 catches for a team-best 863 yards (21.6 average) and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He earned All-Area honors and helped Calabasas to a 10-win season in 2018. After initially announcing that he would transfer back to IMG as a senior, Burton ultimately returned to Calabasas for his final season. 

 

A four-star recruit, Burton was the No. 15 wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class and the No. 9 recruit in California (two spots ahead of Wilson). During his freshman year in February 2017, Florida became the first program to offer him a scholarship, followed by Auburn, Georgia and Alabama. After his sophomore season, Burton committed to Miami in December 2017, but he decommitted six months later. He was named the wide receiver MVP of The Op ening Atlanta Regional in the spring of 2018 and had a final six of Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Tennessee and UCLA. Towards the end of his junior year in April 2019, he committed to LSU. However, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart continued to recruit him, and the opportunity to play close to home led to Burton fl ipping to Georgia on signing day (his mother and sister relocated back to Georgia after his commitment). He was the No. 6 recruit in Smart’s 2020 class. After two seasons in Athens, Burton elected to transfer to Alabama for the chance to play with QB Bryce Young. (Burton: “I was just trying to make the best decision I can for me and my family.”) He accepted his invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl but was unable to participate because of injury.

 

YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD DROP NOTES 2020: (10/7) 27 404 15.0 3 2 Georgia; Pandemic-shortened season; Enrolled in June 2020 2021: (14/8) 26 497 19.1 5 0 Georgia; Missed one game (groin) 2022: (13/12) 40 677 16.9 7 2 Alabama; Led team in receiving yards 2023: (13/12) 39 798 20.5 8 0 Alabama; Led team in receiving yards and receiving TDs; Missed one game (illness) Total: (50/39) 132 2,376 18.0 23 4 HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP COMBINE 6002 196 9 7/8 31 74 7/8 4.45 2.61 1.59 38 1/2 11’1” - - - (no shuttle, 3-cone, bench press — choice) PRO DAY 6001 205 10 30 7/8 75 1/8 - - - - 10’4” - - - (limited workout — injury)

 

STRENGTHS: Outstanding field and timed speed … nifty footwork at the top of routes help create quick separation out of breaks on curls and digs … cornerbacks struggle to match his burst (at the line and mid-route) … uses hesitation and double moves to get over the top of coverage and win deep (led the SEC in receiving yards per catch in 2023) … large hands and athletic ball skills help him snare the football without breaking stride … didn’t have a drop in 2023, and had only four drops in his four-year career (197 targets) … hand strength aids his ability to grab tight-windowed throws (nine contested catches in 2023) … fearless on in-breaking routes over the middle … played a lot of football in the SEC (50 games) and had his best receiving production as a sen ior.

 

WEAKNESSES: Slender body type with lean muscle tone … physical defensive backs can reroute him and get him off his track … unenthused as a blocker, and his middling functional strength is evident … late to key coverages and needs more disciplined rhythm as a route runner … didn’t return kicks/punts or play on specialteams coverages in college … battled through a foot injury in October 2023 and missed one game as a sophomore because of a groin injury (October 2021) … picked up a reputation as an undisciplined player (swung at a female Tennessee fan during a postgame field-storming celebration, unsportsmanlike penalty vs. Texas A&M in 2023), and NFL scouts say he had “up and down moments” with the coaching staffs at both Georgia and Alabama … attended six different schools over the last eight years … never reached 800 yards receiving in a season.

 

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Alabama, Burton lined up as the Z receiver in former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ run-heavy scheme. After two seasons at Georgia, he transferred to Tuscaloosa and led the Tide in receiving yards in 2022 and 2023, finishing as one of just seven FBS players to average more than 20.0 yards per catch in 2023. Grading only on his play speed and raw flashes, Burton has early-round talent, because of his silky body control to track the ball cleanly at all three levels and snatchthe ball outside his frame. However, his ability didn’t consistently equate to on-field production (only five career 100-yard receiving performances), and his undisciplined tendencies will be a turn off for some teams. Overall, Burton underperformed in college and still has maturing to do, but he has NFL -level athleticism and ball skills, which make him worth the gamble on draft weekend. He will be a better pro than college player — if he stays football-focused. GRADE: 3rd-4th Round (No. 100 overall)

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From CBS Sports 

Jermaine Burton WR, BAMA

Height: 6-0, Weight: 194

One of the best vertical threats in the class. Tracks it like an outfielder and can really separate on intricate routes deep. Minimal YAC. Nice depth option who could step into larger role in 2025 if Tee Higgins bolts. (Chris Trapasso)

 

Rating: 80.40 (Starter)
Pro Comparison: Jeremy Maclin
Summary

Jermaine Burton is a good athlete who shows the ability to stretch the field vertically with his outstanding track speed. He can be elusive with his release and after the catch with outstanding change of direction, explosiveness and balance.

About
  • 2023: Led SEC and ranked 5th in FBS in yds/rec (20.5)
  • 2023: Led Alabama in rec yards (798) and rec TD (8)
Strengths
  • Long strider who can eat up cushion but will need a few steps to get up to speed
  • Tracks deep ball well in the air; shows ability to go up and make contested catch
  • Can stack DBs on go balls and twitchier than he looks
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2023 2022 2021
OVERALL GRADE
 
 
79.7
 
 
71.6
 
 
70.8
GAMES PLAYED 13 13 14
PASS SNAPS 297 351 225
SLOT SNAPS 59 138 40
WIDE SNAPS 238 211 184
REC 39 40 26
TARG 57 58 30
YARDS 798 677 497
YARDS/REC 20.5 16.9 19.1
TD 8 7 5

 

Didn't play much in the slot. This is a Higgins replacement it seems for 2025

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Whats the injury that had him limited at his pro day & kept him out of some drills at the Combine?

 

Quote

Picked up a reputation as an undisciplined player (swung at a female Tennessee fan during a postgame field-storming celebration, unsportsmanlike penalty vs. Texas A&M in 2023), and NFL scouts say he had “up and down moments” with the coaching staffs at both Georgia and Alabama … attended six different schools over the last eight years

 

Don't like the sound of that.

 

Ability is there but may need Chase & the other guys to help keep him in line.  Be nice to bring in another vet so it's not all on him if Higgins throws a fit.

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3 minutes ago, dex said:

 

Hmmmm...I had a different take...Saban was initially happy but I think for personal reasons about having the most picks in the draft (Alabama broke/tied some record with that pick?).  When it got to discussing the player, he was more negative than positive IMHO.  Hope it all works out...he's a Bengal now...let's go!!!

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He’s going to be playing snaps this year. Him being primarily a Z will let Chase get some slot snaps - and they wanted to get more athletic in the slot. Chase and Gesicki

will accomplish that.

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