A top NFL Draft prospect has officially declared for next Spring’s festivities. Missouri junior wide receiver Luther Burden III is making the expected jump to the pros after a celebrated career in Columbia.
Burden was the top prospect in the state of Missouri, decided to stay home, and led a great career. He helped Mizzou defeat Ohio State in last year’s Cotton Bowl, among the program’s biggest wins ever by measure of who they beat.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the news on Monday afternoon on Burden and his declaration.
“Missouri star wide receiver Luther Burden III tells ESPN he’s entering the NFL Draft,” Thamel said on X.
Missouri star wide receiver Luther Burden III tells ESPN he’s entering the NFL Draft. He’s Mel Kiper Jr.’s No. 19 overall player. “We’re just getting started,” he said. pic.twitter.com/xRZROvcELP
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 2, 2024
Thamel added that Burden declared he will not play in the team’s upcoming bowl game. Mizzou won’t be in the playoff, but some have projected them to be in the Music City Bowl. If the Tigers participate, Burden will not.
The ESPN reporter added, “Burden will skip Missouri’s bowl game, but he said he leaves with an appreciation for his coaches, teammates, and his time there.”
Burden will skip Missouri’s bowl game, but he said he leaves with an appreciation for his coaches, teammates and his time there. “I will love Mizzou forever,” he told ESPN.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 2, 2024
Finally, Burden revealed that he felt now was the best time to declare. Given that others around him have begun, and how much time this allows him to train for the Draft, that logic makes sense.
Burden told ESPN: “I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” he said. “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 2, 2024
Mizzou honored Burden this past Saturday by letting him walk during Senior Day festivities. Everybody knew what this was at Mizzou when he arrived as a freshman, and everyone knew the deal when he left as a junior. All told, everyone from the Tigers to Burden himself handled this situation brilliantly.
Best of luck to Luther Burden III in his pro prospects. He’s a very exciting talent and expected to go high in the 2025 NFL Draft.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022