Latest news with #LutherBurdenIII
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears rookie outlook: Where does Luther Burden III's electric playmaking best fit in with WR corps?
Four wide receivers were selected in the first round of the NFL draft in April. Luther Burden III was not among them. In the second round, when the 39th pick came around and Burden was still available, coach Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears were happy to swoop in. The move came as somewhat of a surprise, given that the Bears already had DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the roster. Johnson saw a chance to add a playmaker. Advertisement Here's what Bears fans need to know about Burden before rookies report to training camp July 19. How did he get here? Burden expected to hear his name during the first round. That has provided motivation for the 21-year-old receiver. After not becoming one of the 32 first-round picks, Burden posted to social media a picture from his workout at the Missouri football facility after midnight on draft night. On Day 2, the Bears tried to trade up one spot with the New England Patriots when Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson was still available, as documented in the Patriots' in-house video production. The Patriots declined and selected Henderson 38th. The Bears pivoted and selected Burden. Advertisement 'It was clear he was the most talented player on the board,' general manager Ryan Poles said shortly after drafting Burden. 'We think he's an electric player, playmaker, highly competitive, and the run after the catch is special, probably best in this class. When you add that to the group that we have, things get pretty exciting.' Where did he come from? Burden grew up in St. Louis. His grandfather Luther 'Ticky' Burden played for the New York Knicks in the 1970s, and his father, Luther Burden II, played basketball at Saint Louis University. Burden III played basketball and football in high school. He originally went to Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis before transferring across the Mississippi River to East St. Louis and instantly becoming the top recruit in Illinois in the Class of 2022. Advertisement Burden received more than three dozen scholarship offers and at one point committed to play for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma. That could've paired him with Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, who was a freshman for the Sooners in 2021. But in August 2021, Burden decommitted from Oklahoma and flipped to Missouri a few months later. With the Tigers, Burden had a huge breakout season as a sophomore in 2023 with 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. He helped the Tigers to an 11-2 record that season. His production wasn't quite the same last season (61 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns) for an offense that struggled in the passing game. Why did the Bears draft him? In Johnson's eyes, an offense never can have too many weapons. Burden was a playmaker at Missouri, even if his statistical production took a dip in 2024. He's a weapon with the football in his hands. Advertisement The question becomes how Burden mixes in with returning receivers Moore and Odunze. With Keenan Allen out of the picture, the Bears lost their primary slot receiver from 2024. Burden saw significant action in the slot at Missouri, and that could be a natural fit for him. The Tigers played him as a wideout during his freshman season, then transitioned him to the slot ahead of his breakout season in 2023. Missouri wide receivers coach Jacob Peeler felt the slot 'was probably more of his natural position.' During minicamp and organized team activities this spring, Johnson stressed that roles still were being formed. How Johnson divvies up the responsibilities for his top receivers will be one of the most intriguing things to watch during training camp. Advertisement Burden likely will compete for the slot role with veteran Olamide Zaccheaus, whom the Bears signed to a one-year deal in free agency. What his coaches said Peeler took the receivers coach job at Missouri in January 2022 — the same month Burden arrived on campus. He coached Burden throughout his college career. Peeler attributed Burden's drop in production in 2024 to several things. Opponents made a concerted effort to stop him after his 1,200-yard season. Also, quarterback Brady Cook was dealing with a wrist injury that affected his throwing motion throughout the second half of the season. 'The one thing I was impressed with (Burden), he never let it get to him,' Peeler said. 'He never got frustrated to the point where it was ever a detriment. Most receivers either always want the ball or otherwise they're playing the wrong position. But he was a great teammate, never once got frustrated to the point that I even saw it.' Advertisement Peeler believes Burden's familiarity with man coverage in the SEC will help him make a quick transition to the NFL. As the receivers coach at Mississippi from 2017-19, Peeler coached DK Metcalf and A.J. Brown, but he said Burden is the best he ever coached in terms of creating yards after the catch. 'He rarely allows the first defender to tackle him,' Peeler said. What he said The man tasked with drawing the best out of Burden is new Bears wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El. The 45-year-old Randle El, who also serves as Johnson's assistant head coach, was himself was a second-round pick coming out of Indiana and went on to a nine-year NFL career. Advertisement In Randle El, Burden sees a path he can follow. 'I feel like he is going to bring the best out of me,' Burden said. 'I've seen his past history. He's a guy who's been in my shoes, so he knows what to expect and different ways how to handle it.' Randle El, a Chicago-area native, will be instrumental in helping Johnson carve out those roles for his wide receivers. He spent the last four years as the Detroit Lions receivers coach, mentoring Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams among other. What he needs to prove during training camp Like No. 10 pick Colston Loveland, Burden missed all of OTAs and mandatory minicamp because of an injury. He suffered what Johnson described as a soft-tissue injury during rookie minicamp and never saw the field again. So first and foremost, Burden must prove he's healthy. Advertisement Time is of the essence, too, because Burden needs to develop chemistry with Williams on the field. They can talk things out in meeting rooms and role-play during walk-throughs, but it's not the same as building that chemistry at game speed. 'It's a shame that he got dinged up and missed all that time because, for a young player, it's really where you get the most reps, and you can get better in a hurry that way,' Johnson said. Burden will need to prove he can thrive in Johnson's offense and carve out a role beside Moore and Odunze. If he's destined for the slot, he'll have to beat out a seventh-year veteran in Zaccheaus. Beyond that, the Bears want to see more of Burden's trademark playmaking abilities.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chicago Bears 2025 training camp preview: Wide receivers
Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it's time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest. We're unveiling our Bears 2025 training camp position previews, where we're breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group. Up next is wide receiver, a position that is a big focus going into the offseason following a disappointing 2024 season. With DJ Moore as the top receiver, last year's ninth overall pick Rome Odunze is primed for a bigger role. Chicago struck big in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft selecting Luther Burden III and giving the new-look offense a three-headed monster at the wide receiver position. Let's look at the Bears' wide receivers heading into 2025 training camp: DJ Moore In his first year with Caleb Williams as his quarterback, DJ Moore fell just short of a 100-reception, 1,000-yard receiving season finishing the season with 98 receptions, 966 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Moore is the key to the passing game success and the attention he commands from opposing defenses should open up opportunity for young receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Ben Johnson worked wonders with Amon-Ra St. Brown while he was in Detroit, and his arrival in Chicago could take Moore's game to the next level. Rome Odunze Last year's ninth overall pick, Rome Odunze had a serviceable and respectable rookie season, but did leave more to be desired in his overall production. Finishing his rookie year with 54 receptions, 734 receiving yards, and three touchdowns, Odunze appeared to come into his own near the end of the year, and should take a big leap in his second season. Luther Burden III Drafted with the 39th overall pick in this year's draft, Luther Burden III fell into the Bears' laps and adds another dynamic receiving threat alongside Moore and Odunze. In three seasons with the Missouri Tigers, Burden totaled 2,263 receiving yards, 234 rushing yards, and 25 combined touchdowns in three seasons. Drawing comparisons to Deebo Samuel, Burden could be a versatile tool for this offense in his first year. Olamide Zaccheaus Signed this offseason to a one-year deal, Olamide Zaccheaus comes to Chicago after spending one season with the Washington Commanders where he totaled 45 receptions, 506 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Zaccheaus brings veteran depth presence into an already talented wide receiver room, and could be a sneaky surprise when given opportunities in the passing game. Devin Duvernay Just like Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay signed a one-year deal with Chicago in free agency this offseason. Duvernay is more than likely to serve as the team's return specialist, taking over for Tyler Scott who has yet to make a meaningful impact since entering the league. Duvernay was a First-team All-Pro selection in 2021, and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and 2022. Tyler Scott A former fourth-round pick of the Bears back in 2023, Tyler Scott has had little success since joining the organization. Scott did not bode well in limited time at the wide receiver position, and was turned into the team's kick and punt returner but had struggles there as well. Scott is going to have to earn his keep during training camp with the new veterans that were added this offseason. Miles Boykin Veteran receiver Miles Boykin spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Seattle Seahawks before signing with the Bears this offseason. The Chicago-area born product will bring depth to the receiver room which is packed with a veteran presence. Maurice Alexander Having spent time with the Detroit Lions from 2022 to 2024, Maurice Alexander signed with the Bears this offseason and brings a familiarity with Ben Johnson and his style of offense. He's also a contender in the kick return game. Samori Toure With just 13 career receptions in his two seasons in the NFL, Samori Toure was signed to the Bears practice squad in 2024 and then a reserve/future contract in January. He'll factor into the practice squad once again. John Jackson Signing with Chicago last year as an undrafted free agent last season, John Jackson was a member of the team's practice squad in 2024 and signed to a reserve/future contract in January. Jackson, a former college teammate of Caleb Williams, is expected to contend for a practice squad spot once again. JP Richardson JP Richardson signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent out of TCU this year. He was a two-time Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference, once as a wide receiver and the other time as a return specialist. He's not expected to compete for a roster spot, but the practice squad is certainly an option. Jahdae Walker Another undrafted free agent who signed with Chicago following this year's draft, Jahdae Walker finished his collegiate career with Texas A&M where he totaled 64 receptions, 935 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in two seasons. Big Question: How big of an impact will Luther Burden III have as a rookie? The Bears landed a steal in Luther Burden III in the early second round of the 2025 NFL draft, and he has the potential to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Burden has drawn comparisons to all-Pro Deebo Samuel and even Amon-Ra St. Brown, but he has a long way to go before he can match those comparisons. Still, given Burden's success in the slot during his Missouri days, it makes him a perfect candidate to thrive in this offense. Ben Johnson mentioned how the ball always finds the guy in the slot, and that's where Burden has proven to be most lethal. If Burden carves out a role for himself in the slot, he could have an impactful rookie season and become a favorite target for quarterback Caleb Williams. While most NFL teams have two dynamic wide receivers, Chicago has an opportunity to have a very talented and production trio (including DJ Moore and Rome Odunze) if Burden gets a big role in his rookie season. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Class of 2026 RB Maxwell Warner Chooses Mizzou Over Neighboring Rival
Class of 2026 RB Maxwell Warner Chooses Mizzou Over Neighboring Rival originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Missouri Tigers have added a running back to their 2026 recruiting class. Three-star prospect Maxwell Warner committed to Mizzou on Monday, announcing his decision on ABC 7 Chicago's sports show. Advertisement Missouri's latest addition hails from the Chicago area, attending Whitney Young High School, the very same school Mizzou basketball coach Dennis Gates is from. Warner chose the Tigers over Boston College, Illinois and Miami (FL), choosing to head to the Show-Me State rather than stay home. Warner's decision also featured a message from Mizzou alum and Chicago Bears receiver Luther Burden III. "Can't wait to see you go out there and do good things, man... M-I-Z, let's go!" Burden said on air. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz© Denny Medley-Imagn Images According to 247Sports, Warner is the top ranked 2026 running back recruit in the state of Illinois. Across his junior season at Whitney Young, he rushed 518 yards across 107 carries, racking up eight touchdowns in the process. Advertisement Warner propelled his team to a 12-2 overall (9-0 conference) record that led to a No. 1 seed in the Illinois Class 7A playoffs. Warner has received several power conference offers, the latest one being from Miami (FL). Missouri was the first Division I team to give Warner an offer and he took his official visit June 6-8. This commitment comes a day after the Tigers dropped four-star running back Ryan Estrada. He made the trip to Columbia for the first slate of official visits on May 30, but committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers instead. Warner becomes the fifth addition of Missouri's 2026 recruiting class, four of which are offensive players. Warner joins quarterback Gavin Sidwar, wide receiver Jabari Brady, tight end Isaac Jensen, and linebacker Keenan Harris. Advertisement Related: Four-Star Corner Dismisses Mizzou for Border-State Rival This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mizzou WR Cracks Prominent List After Luther Burden III's Departure
Mizzou WR Cracks Prominent List After Luther Burden III's Departure originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Pro Football Focus released an X post with its highest graded returning SEC wide receivers ahead of the 2025 season and Mizzou saw a wideout make the list for a second consecutive year. Advertisement Former Mississippi State WR Kevin Coleman Jr., who has one year of eligibility remaining, transferred to Mizzou at the end of last season and found himself on PFF's list as the No. 3 returning SEC wide receiver. During his 2024 season with the Bulldogs, Coleman had a career year, finishing with 74 receptions, 932 yards and six touchdowns — all of which are collegiate career highs for the St. Louis product. The 5-foot-11 WR spent his freshman season at Jackson State, before transferring to Louisville for his sophomore campaign. After a sophomore slump at Louisville, Coleman decided it was time to transfer to the SEC. Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the second quarter© Matt Bush-Imagn Images Coleman joins Luther Burden III, who was on the list posted one year ago, as a second consecutive Missouri Tiger to make the rankings. Burden led the rankings in 2024, finishing with a grade of 88.9 (.4 ahead of Ole Miss' Tre Harris). Advertisement Coleman sits in third with a grade of 79.2 with Alabama's Germie Bernard (79.9) and Oklahoma's Javonnie Gibson (81.7) rounding out the Top 3. Oklahoma's Keontex Lewis (78.7), Ole Miss' De'Zhaun Strubling (77.7) and Arkansas' O'Mega Blake (76.9) round out the list. Notably, Alabama's Ryan Williams was left off the list, likely because he will be entering just his second season of college football. Coleman is expected to lead the Tigers' wide receiver room, with Marquis Johnson and Joshua Manning also likely to start. The team also acquired Illinois State's Xavier Loyd via the transfer portal from Illinois State. In his sophomore season the 6-foot-2 wideout had 66 receptions, 912 yards and six touchdowns. Loyd brings the team a solid fourth option at WR despite the QB race still being in full throttle. Advertisement With a revamped receiving corps, Missouri enters the 2025 season with one of the SEC's most dangerous wideout groups. As the quarterback competition unfolds, the Tigers' playmakers are already in place to give the eventual starter plenty of weapons to work with. Related: Mizzou Football Loses Out on In-State Target to Fierce Rival This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luther Burden Takes a Shot at Packers After Jaire Alexander's Release
Luther Burden Takes a Shot at Packers After Jaire Alexander's Release originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The NFL offseason always brings a whirlwind of roster shakeups. From surprise cuts to big-name signings, it's a time when franchises recalibrate—and rivals circle. But today's move had even longtime fans scratching their heads. One NFC North team made a bold decision that quickly became fuel for some friendly (or not-so-friendly) fire. And of course, in the social media age, it didn't take long for a transaction to become bulletin board material. Advertisement According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Green Bay Packers have released cornerback Jaire Alexander. Rapoport posted on X: 'The #Packers are releasing star CB Jaire Alexander today, sources say.' Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El talks with Luther Burden IIIGetty Images The 28-year-old defensive back was selected 18th overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by Green Bay and spent seven seasons with the team. Known for his aggressive coverage and Pro Bowl-caliber play, Alexander was often considered one of the best shutdown corners in the league. His release comes as a shock, especially considering the team's lack of veteran depth in the secondary. Alexander had been limited by injuries over the past two seasons, and undergoing knee surgery. Advertisement There were also reports that the Packers explored trade options earlier this offseason before asking Alexander to restructure the four-year extension he signed in 2022—a request he reportedly refused. That refusal likely played a key role in the Packers' decision to move on. But there was another subtle ripple making its way through the football world. A simple two-word Instagram comment from Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III caught attention. After the news broke, Burden—who's already making waves at rookie minicamp—posted a response that read: 'uh oh' Short, but loud. The post was captured by Dave on X and immediately drew reactions from fans. One fan joked: 'Luther Burden really treating Jaire's release like it's comedy hour.' Was it a dig? A warning shot? Maybe a little of both. Either way, Burden is already proving he's not afraid to stir the pot. Advertisement With the Bears-Packers rivalry already rich in history, this adds a spicy new chapter before the season even begins. Related: Colston Loveland Injury Update: Latest on Chicago Bears' Prized Rookie Related: Pro Bowl Additions Propel Bears into Top Guard Duo Rankings for 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
