Luther Burden III

Luther Burden III, Missouri, WR, 6000, 206 lbs, Junior

Draft Profile

Frankly: (To Be Added)

Overview

Luther Burden III’s projection is one of the most compelling in this draft class, as his playmaking ability and versatility make him a potential offensive centerpiece. His game evokes comparisons to rookie-year Kadarius Toney, but with superior polish and production. Burden’s ability to create in space and generate yards after the catch will entice offensive coordinators eager to manufacture touches for him on screens, jet sweeps, and quick-strike concepts. While he will likely begin his career primarily as a slot weapon, he should not be confined to that role long-term. His explosiveness and competitive toughness suggest future success on the boundary, especially in a system that moves him around to maximize his dynamic open-field ability. He requires some technical refinement, but his ability to stress defenses at all three levels makes him one of the draft’s most intriguing offensive prospects. With the right landing spot—particularly in a scheme emphasizing versatility—Burden has the potential to emerge as a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside. His junior-year statistical dip should not be overanalyzed, as he remains a special talent capable of making an immediate impact at the next level.

Background

Burden arrived at Missouri as the program’s highest-rated receiver prospect in history, carrying consensus five-star status and recognition as the nation’s No. 1 receiver recruit. His senior season at East St. Louis High School solidified his reputation, tallying 71 receptions for 1,174 yards and 20 touchdowns. His collegiate impact was immediate, as Burden became the first player in over a decade to record two receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and a punt-return touchdown in the same season. His sophomore year saw a dramatic statistical leap, posting 86 receptions for 1,212 yards—the third-highest total in Missouri history—while earning First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team All-America honors. Burden’s dominance was highlighted by five consecutive 100-yard receiving games, making him just the second Tiger to accomplish that feat. His junior-year production (61 catches, 676 yards, 6 touchdowns) saw a decline, but a deeper analysis points to external factors. Injuries and an undisclosed illness affected his availability, but Missouri’s overall passing-game regression played a bigger role, as the team’s total passing yards dropped from 3,671 in 2023 to 2,535 in 2024. Despite these challenges, film study shows Burden continued to separate effectively even with increased defensive attention, suggesting his statistical drop was more situational than indicative of regression.

Scouting Report

Pros:

Burden’s ability to create instant separation is elite, as his explosive first step and twitchy lateral agility routinely leave defenders struggling to recover. He is a natural hands-catcher, securing passes away from his frame while maintaining strong grip strength in contested situations. His yards-after-catch ability stands out, combining vision, contact balance, and open-field agility to transform short receptions into chunk plays. His deep-ball tracking is exceptional, maintaining top speed while adjusting to throws in stride. Built with a compact, powerful frame, Burden plays bigger than his height, bouncing off tackle attempts and maintaining balance through contact. He also brings added value as a punt returner, showcasing burst and natural instincts to capitalize on field position. His competitive nature extends to his blocking, where he demonstrates real physicality. Scheme versatility is another strength, as Burden has dominated from the slot while flashing the ability to win outside.

Cons:

Burden’s route tree needs refinement, particularly on timing-based intermediate routes where technical precision is paramount. His limited exposure to true press coverage may result in early challenges against physical NFL corners. His top-end speed is very good but not elite, which could impact his ability to consistently separate vertically. Focus drops occasionally appear on film, particularly when working over the middle, where concentration wavers. At times, he rounds off route breaks instead of sinking his hips and exploding out of cuts with ideal technique.

HISTORY - From College Profile

Eligibility Remaining: 2024, 2025

Honors & Awards

• 2023 Second-Team All-America (AP and CBS Sports/247 Sports)
• 2023 First-Team All-SEC (AP and Coaches)
• 2023 Midseason All-America (AP)
• 2023 Belitnikoff Award Semifinalist
• 2023 Maxwell Award Watch List

2023 (Sophomore): Burden led the Tigers in receptions (86), receiving yards (1,212) and TD receptions (9) to earn First-Team All-SEC (AP and Coaches) and Second-Team All-America (AP and CBS Sports/247 Sports) honors ... finished the year second in the SEC and ninth in the nation in receiving yards while sitting third in the conference in receptions ... his 1,212 receiving yards currently ranks third on the Tigers' single-season receiving chart, while his 83 receptions rank fourth in program history ... became just the eighth Tiger (and first since J’Mon Moore in 2017) to reach the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yardage in a single season … reached the 100-yard receiving mark six times during the regular season ... posted five consecutive 100-yard receiving performances (Sept. 9-Oct.7), the second Tiger to accomplish the feat and first since 2009 … also ranks fifth in the SEC in all-purpose yardage (106.5 ypg) ... the St. Louis native totaled a career-high 177 receiving yards in the neutral-site matchup against Memphis (Sept. 23) … reached the end zone twice in the contests against Kansas State (Sept. 16) and Vanderbilt (Sept. 30), logging career-best performances for receptions (11) vs. Vandy and No. 23 LSU (Oct. 7) … registered seven straight games with seven receptions or more (Aug. 31-Oct. 7) … claimed the game sealing first down with a 20-yard rush in the waning moments of the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State (Dec. 29) ... honored by the Associated Press as a unanimous Midseason All-American selection … named to watch list for the Maxwell Award and was tabbed a semifinalist for the Belitnikoff Award.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in all 13 games this season, making 10 starts … finished the season with 45 catches, 375 yards and five touchdowns through the air, 88 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and a punt-return touchdown … his eight offensive scores (6 receiving, 2 rushing) were the most among true freshmen in the NCAA FBS while his nine total TDs (6 receiving, 2 rushing, 1 punt return) were second among true freshmen in the SEC behind Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins (17) … first freshman nationwide to record two receiving TD’s, two rushing TD’s and a punt-return TD in the same season since 2008 … made an immediate impact in his first collegiate game, recording six touches, three rushing for 26 yards and a touchdown, three receiving for 17 yards and a touchdown in the win over LA Tech … scored a touchdown on his first-ever collegiate punt return against Abilene Christian, becoming just the 7th player in program history to record a rushing TD, receiving TD, and punt return TD in the same season; also became the first player in program history with 100 punt return yards and 50 receiving yards in the same game thanks to his 111 punt return yards and 58 receiving yards performance against ACU … earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors against Vanderbilt after recording 76 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns … his 76 all-purpose yards led the team against Kentucky … had 29 all-purpose yards and a score on the ground at Tennessee … had two receiving touchdowns against New Mexico State, the third multi-touchdown game of his young career … added a receiving touchdown against Arkansas … had seven receptions and 46 yards in the bowl game against Wake Forest.

High School: Third consensus five-star prospect to sign with Mizzou … MaxPreps Player of the Year … Rivals Illinois High School Player of the Year … ESPN ranked him as No. 8 in the 2022 class, and the top ranked receiver … Rivals listed him as No. 5 nationally, also giving him the nod as the top receiver … 247Sports ranked him No. 17 in the country and No. 2 WR … ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports all listed him as the top recruit from the state of Illinois … 2022 Under Armour All-America Game invitee … led East St. Louis High School to the Illinois Class 6A State Championship game, falling short of the title by one point … caught 71 passes for 1,174 yards in his senior season, including 20 trips to the end zone … his lone varsity rush was a 54-yard house call … showed versatility as the team’s kickoff and punt specialist … returned 21 punts on the season for 852 yards, with eight going the distance … named to the 2021 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A all-state team … in just five appearances his junior season, he caught 35 passes for 747 yards and five touchdowns.