Missouri Tigers receiver Luther Burden declares for NFL Draft. He’ll miss the bowl game

Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III will forgo his senior year of eligibility and has declared for the NFL Draft, he announced Monday via social media.

It was also reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Burden, a junior from St. Louis, will not play in the Tigers’ year-end bowl game, thus officially ending his three-year tenure at Missouri.

Burden finishes his career fourth in Missouri program history with 192 catches. His 2,263 receiving yards rank sixth all-time, and he finishes his career tied with J’Mon Moore for fifth all-time with 21 touchdown receptions.

The East St. Louis graduate arrived at Missouri as just the third consensus five-star player to ever sign with the Tigers and was ranked as high as the No. 3 player in the nation for the graduating class of 2022, by On3.

Burden was instrumental in creating a pipeline for St. Louis prep players to attend Missouri under Eli Drinkwitz. Perhaps even more than his on-field accolades, the program shift in recruiting prowess that followed Burden’s commitment will likely be his lasting legacy in Columbia.

“We’re very fortunate for Luther to have been here for three seasons,” Drinkwitz said in the week leading up to Burden’s final game in a Missouri uniform.

Burden is projected to be a top pick in the upcoming draft in April. Burden is ranked as the second-best wide receiver prospect entering the draft, behind only Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, by Pro Football Focus (PFF).

The junior was a first-team All-SEC and second-team All-America selection in 2023 and will likely garner similar accolades this season.

Johnny Walker Jr. named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week

Missouri defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. was honored by the conference Monday after his productive day against Arkansas last week.

Walker tallied a team-high 11 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles in the Tigers’ 28-21 win over Arkansas. Both forced fumbles led to touchdowns by Mizzou’s offense.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound lineman is up to a career high 7½ sacks on the season. He also has 39 tackles and three forced fumbles this year. Walker has recorded at least a half sack in each of his last six outings.

Copyright 2024 Columbia Missourian