Paul Finebaum puts Jermaine Burton transfer in fascinating context

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Jermaine Burton stunned many when he decided to transfer to Alabama, who Georgia just beat in the National Championship. His decision has seen criticism from a lot of people, and ESPN’s Paul Finebaum admits that he didn’t understand Burton’s move.

Finebaum talked about Burton’s decision to transfer from Georgia to Alabama on Monday while on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.

“I don’t know all the circumstances. Maybe there’s something there that I don’t know or you guys don’t know. It is a strange switch,” Finebaum said of Burton’s transfer from Georgia to Alabama. “Jameson Williams (from Ohio State to Alabama), that was understandable. They played in the national championship, but they’re not rivals. Henry To’o To’o, that’s another situation where it was a mass exodus (at Tennessee). People pick and chose where to go.

“This one, I do not understand. Based on what I saw two weeks ago, he looked like he was pretty well entrenched as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs. What happened after that? I don’t know. The only thing I’ll say, and I’m sure I’ll stir up a hornet’s nest, is if you’re in his shoes, who would you rather have throwing the ball to you next year? Would it be Stetson Bennett or Bryce Young? I’ll let that answer hang in the wind for a minute.”

Burton is the highest rated wide receiver to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal so far during this offseason. He was also the fifth-highest ranked played overall in the portal.

Burton’s decision to go to Alabama caused criticism from a former Georgia star

As a freshman in 2020, Burton caught 27 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns. In 2021, he caught 26 passes for 497 yards and five touchdowns. Next season, Burton could be in line for a major role on Alabama’s offense, one that will lose receivers Jameson Williams, John Metchie, Slade Bolden, and others. Burton will also now have Bryce Young, one of college football’s best quarterbacks, throwing to him as opposed to Stetson Bennett at Georgia.

Regardless, former Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman had some strong words for Burton’s decision to transfer to Alabama.

“How you go to the team we just beat? And leave a team you won the natty with?” Hardman asked.

Burton’s response, though, was simple. He was doing what he felt was best for his career, and he doesn’t care about the backlash.

“Why it matter on who agree? My career. Nobody else’s,” Burton tweeted.