Jermaine Burton's Success Fueled by Natural Love for Football
INDIANAPOLIS — Jermaine Burton is confident that no NFL team needs to question his work ethic. The Alabama wide receiver is fueled by his deep passion for the game.
"I feel like I'm a really great player, passionate for the game," Burton said Friday. "For me as a player, I think I should just be focused on becoming the best player I can be."
Burton will try to prove that to NFL teams this week at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He spoke to reporters Friday morning about his outlook before the NFL Draft and his career at Georgia and Alabama.
The Crimson Tide's leading receiver in 2022 and 2023 feels like his two years at Alabama is where he made his biggest improvements.
"Junior and senior seasons I probably feel we're my biggest jumps because I don't feel like anybody (is) the same player from their freshman year to the senior year so a lot of maturity happens throughout that process."
His time at Alabama under Nick Saban pushed his passion and understanding for the sport even further.
"More love for the game of football, more studying and just understanding the game better," Burton said when asked how Alabama helped grow his personality.
His time in Tuscaloosa also benefitted him by having the opportunity to go up against two of the best cornerbacks in the country each week in practice. His respect for both Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid Mckinstry extends past their play on the field.
"Both guys have really great, outgoing personalities they both really are passionate for the game of football and you can really see it at practice. That's why we always treated practice reps like game reps. That's just how important it was to us."
Treating practice reps as being just as important as game reps might be a cliche, but the attitude seems like an essential aspect of Burton's preparation.
"I really found my love naturally for this game so I feel like any team that gets me doesn't really have to question my work ethic."
