Four-Star RB J'Marion Burnette commits to Auburn

Four-star running back J’Marion Burnette of Andalusia (AL) High announced his commitment to Auburn Friday afternoon.

The 6-foot-1, 225 pounder chose the Tigers over Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, Florida State, Michigan, Alabama, and Texas A&M. 

Burnette on why he chose Auburn

“It’s like a family at Auburn,” Burnette said. “They have recruited me the hardest since day 1.”

Relationship with the coaching staff + how they plan on using him

“Coach Caddi, T.Reed, Ethridge, and Freeze is who I’m closest with,” Burnette said. “We have convos like regular people, not just recruit and coach like family. I will be used to pound the ball, opening up ways for the offensive to get going.”

What it means to stay home to J’Marion Burnette and family

“It means a lot,” Burnette said. “I mean, it truly is a blessing!”

The Alabama running back joins coach Freeze and the Tigers’ Top 15 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by quarterback Walker White, Jaydon Lewis, and A’Mon Lane.

J’Marion Burnette Scouting Summary

“J’Marion Burnette is a downhill running back who plays with power and picks up yards after contact,” On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power stated. “He’s got good size listed at 6-foot-1, around 215 pounds He runs behind his pads and is difficult for defensive backs and some linebackers to arm tackle and would just switch over to him with his size and power. And you can see that when you turn on the film, the last couple years he’s been really productive. A high volume running back who gets a lot of carries, as he had 326 carries as a sophomore. This is a guy who can be a bell cow from a durability and workload perspective. Had a pretty solid junior year as well. He ran for over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns and 7.9 yards per carry.”

“I think when you’re looking at J’Marion Burnette, he’s at his best when he’s between the tackles. Early on in his career, he’ll give you a nice punch. As a downhill runner, a guy who can pick up yards in short yardage situations or in goal line situations. I can see him being that type of rotation or I bet early, early in his career and then you have to kind of see how he develops further along. I think he’s at his best when he has a runway and a little room to operate and can continue working on his straight line speed, lateral agility, and overall quickness.”

Burnette ranks as the No. 192 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 16 running back and the No. 11 player in the state of Alabama.

J’Marion Burnette currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $90K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.