When Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz secured a verbal commitment from five-star wide receiver Luther Burden III from East St. Louis High School back on Oct. 19 of 2021, it was an enormous recruiting score for Drinkwitz and his staff.
More than three years and 38 games later, it’s safe to say that Burden delivered on his five-star hype and played a major role in helping the Tigers post a 20-5 record in their last 25 contests.
On Monday, Burden announced that he’s turning pro and skipping Missouri’s bowl game, however, but he certainly earned the right to do that without any hesitation.
“I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” Burden told ESPN. “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”
As a true freshman in 2022, Burden hauled in 45 receptions for 375 yards and six touchdowns. He also had 88 rushing yards and a pair of TDs on 18 attempts for a 4.9 yards-per-carry average. Burden contributed on special teams as well, returning 12 punts for 151 yards and one TD for an average of 12.6 yards per return.
Missouri finished 6-7 straight up and 7-6 against the spread, but it had four one-possession losses, nearly upset top-ranked Georgia in a 26-22 loss in a game it led for more than three quarters and somehow found a way to lose (four or five different times) a 17-14 overtime game at Auburn.
Nevertheless, everything would turn around in 2023. The Tigers finished 11-2 SU and 8-4-1 ATS, winning four games against ranked opponents, including three versus Top-15 foes. They beat seventh-ranked Ohio St. 14-3 at the Cotton Bowl.
In his sophomore campaign, Burden was a first-team All-SEC selection and garnered second-team All-American honors. He had 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine TDs.
In 2024, Missouri star quarterback Brady Cook missed one game with an injury and missed parts of other games due to multiple injuries. Cook’s absence was a big reason Burden’s numbers were down a bit.
He finished the season with 61 receptions for 676 yards and six TDs. Burden also had 115 rushing yards and two TDs on nine carries for a 12.8 YPC average.
During his 38-game career, Burden had 192 catches for 2,263 yards and 21 TDs. He added 234 rushing yards, four TDs and a 6.9 YPC average.
Burden’s 192 career receptions are ranked 20th in SEC history.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. updated his 2025 NFL Draft Big Board on Nov. 28. He has Burden ranked as his #3 WR behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. Kiper has Burden ranked as the #19 overall prospect.