SI All-American Candidate Marcus Burke Highlights and Evaluation
Prospect: WR Marcus Burke
Projected Position: Wide Receiver
Status: SI All-American Candidate
Vitals: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds
School: Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian Academy
Committed to: Florida
Frame: Skinny with long arms, long legs and room to gain 30 pounds when all is said and done.
Athleticism: Despite his length, Burke moves very well laterally. His open-field second gear is elite. Ability to extend his arms quickly to reach overthrown passes. Lateral quickness resembles a shorter, more compact player. Solid initial burst. Natural long strider resembles a 400-meter specialist.
Instincts: Great timing to reach for the football during jump-ball situations. Sets up cuts to maneuver past defenders within tight space. Catches the football away from his body. Knows when to hit the jets and simply outrun defenders.
Polish: Big-play threat as return man or wide receiver because Burke can run by or make defenders miss in short-area spaces. He knows how to set up defenders by stemming his routes. Excels during jump-ball plays.
Bottom Line: Burke could end up being a college No. 1 wide receiver once he matures physically. He provides speed, really good short-area playmaking skills, knows how to stem his pass routes, displays playmaking skills during one-on-one situations and makes defenders miss.