Georgia Tech Football Transfer Profile: Defensive Back Warren Burrell

Burrell transferred to Georgia Tech from Tennessee and will play his last season in Atlanta

Georgia Tech was going to need to find some experience at the cornerback position this offseason due to some losses. Myles Sims was out of eligibility, Kenan Johnson transferred to Utah, and starting nickel K.J. Wallace transferred to UCLA. Players like Ahmari Harvey and Rodney Shelley are back, but the Yellow Jackets could have used one or two more experienced cornerbacks to help solidify the secondary. 

They went out and got one of the most experienced corners in the portal when they landed Tennessee transfer Warren Burrell. 

Burrell was in the transfer portal with one more year of eligibility remaining and he will be spending his last season on the Flats hoping to compete for a starting spot or add quality depth to the position. 

What kind of player is Georgia Tech getting in Burrell?

According to PFF (Pro Football Focus), Burrell played 1, 647 snaps during his career in Knoxville, with 823 of those snaps coming in 2021. His best season from a PFF grading perspective came last season. He finished with a 68.0 overall grade on defense, a 67.3 in run defense, a very good 82.0 tackling grade, and a 67.2 grade in coverage. In all of his seasons with the Volunteers, Burrell graded out well as a tackler and that is going to be huge, as tackling was a big issue for Georgia Tech last season at every position. 

Tennessee transfer cornerback Warren Burrell :: Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

From his bio at Tennessee Athletics:

"Experienced cornerback who had a career year in 2021 as one of the Vols’ starters before missing the majority of the 2022 season with an upper body injury … Played in 40 games with 22 starts, all at cornerback, and has two years of eligibility remaining … Accumulated 89 total tackles, has nine PBUs, one interception and a fumble recovery to his credit … Plays with the SEC graduate patch after earning his degree in Dec. 2022."

What about as a recruit coming out of North Gwinnett High School? 

"Listed as a four-star recruit by Rivals and one of the top 30 prospects in Georgia … Starred at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia … Unanimous Georgia Class 7A all-state selection in 2017 … Earned all-county honors as a senior in 2018 … Had 61 tackles, seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups and two blocked kicks as a junior … Led North Gwinnett to a 14-1 record and the Georgia Class 7A State Championship as a junior in 2017 … Guided squad to a 10-3 mark and an appearance in the state quarterfinals as a senior in 2018."

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Burrell brings experience to the secondary and if he can stay healthy, he should have a reasonable path to playing time. He grades out well as a tackler and is not a negative in that aspect, which is something Georgia Tech needs for the position. I liked this pickup at the time for Georgia Tech and still think Burell will find a way to make an impact for this team. 

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