Notre Dame Signs Linebacker Josh Burnham
Notre Dame has signed 2022 Michigan linebacker Josh Burnham.
JOSH BURNHAM PROFILE
Hometown: Traverse City, Mich.
High School: Central
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215
2021 Stats - Defense: 102 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions
2021 Stats - Offense: 1,516 rush yards, 29 TD / 955 pass yards, 14 TD
IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 50 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0
Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Iowa, Indiana
Recruited By: Marcus Freeman
Player Comp: Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
RECRUITING RANKINGS
247Sports: 4-star - No. 75 overall - No. 6 linebacker
SI99: No. 86 overall - No. 8 linebacker
Rivals: 4-star - No. 125 overall - No. 4 inside linebacker
On3: 4-star - No. 156 overall - No. 14 linebacker
ESPN: 4-star - No. 166 overall - No. 17 outside linebacker
Composite: 4-star - No. 108 overall - No. 9 linebacker
FILM ANALYSIS
The first thing that jumps out about Burnham is his frame and length. Listed at 6-4 and 215 pounds, Burnham possesses an excellent frame that will allow him to fill out quite a bit. Right now I project Burnham as an inside linebacker, and while I don't see it happening, it wouldn't shock me if he outgrew linebacker and ended up coming off the edge.
Beyond a great frame, Burnham possesses elite length, which is evident on the football field and the basketball court. Burnham is an impressive athlete, showing off impressive foot quickness, easy change of direction skills and top-notch burst. Not only does Burnham have very good long speed, his short-area burst and closing speed is outstanding.
Right now he doesn't know how to use that length as a weapon, but once he does he'll be even harder to block. Burnham is still a bit of a raw prospect from a technical standpoint. He must improve his footwork at linebacker and also enhance his block destruction inside. At this point he's just getting by on tools and God-given ability, and his technical game is hindered by the fact he plays so many different positions (he plays quarterback, running back and even some wide receiver).
Once he starts to focus on defense you'll see his technical game improve. Once his technical game catches up to his physical tools the Traverse City Central athlete will become a truly dominant defensive player.
NOTRE DAME FIT
Burnham is a great fit for both of Notre Dame's inside linebacker positions. He has tremendous length, his range is outstanding and he's physical. And he hasn't come close to reaching his full potential. His range fits quite well to the Will position, but he has the power potential and frame to eventually grow into a Mike. I could see Burnham developing into a third-down option very early in his career.
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