Ex-Purdue Receiver Deion Burks Shines in Oklahoma Spring Game
Former Purdue wide receiver Deion Burks is already turning heads at his new school. The ex-Boilermaker had a huge day in Oklahoma's spring game on Saturday and looks like a potential Biletnikoff Award contender.
Burks shined in Oklahoma's spring game, finishing the contest with five catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns. The most impressive connection came early in the scrimmage, when he was on the receiving end of a 65-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Arnold.
Burks emerged as Purdue's top receiver during the 2023 campaign, the program's first year under new coach Ryan Walters. He had a tremendous performance in the season opener against Fresno State, ending the afternoon with 152 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions.
As a redshirt sophomore last season, Burks led the team in catches (47), yards (629) and touchdown receptions (seven). It was the best statistical year of his career in West Lafayette.
Burks decided to enter the transfer portal after the 2023 season at Purdue. He then committed to Oklahoma and appears to be building off a strong campaign a year ago.
Earlier in spring practice, Oklahoma's Jayden Gibson raved about the addition of Burks to the roster.
"We're real close, we spend a lot of time together off the field, in the locker room, wherever," he said. "We see a lot of things eye to eye. I feel like he's one of the guys who's a lot more similar to me than others. ... That's a guy I know I can trust on 4th-and-6, on 4th-and-7.
"I know he's gonna be a dog in the middle. I know he's a guy we can depend on when we need him. That's really all you can ask for."
Burks spend three seasons at Purdue before opting to enter the transfer portal. He finished his time in West Lafayette with 804 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 63 catches.
The Sooners open the 2024 season on Friday, Aug. 30 against Temple. This year will be Oklahoma's first in the SEC.
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