Luther Burden: 'I want to show them I'm the best in the country'

Luther Burden did not mince words about the expectations he has for himself as a player. The Missouri wide receiver is confident he can be the best in the country.

It’s hard to argue too, based on his previous production and where he projects as an NFL wide receiver. However, you can’t put the cart before the horse.

Burden acknowledged he still has more to prove as he enters the 2024 season.

“I look at myself as a player, I feel like there’s still work to do,” Burden said at SEC Media Days. “I’ve still got a lot to prove once again. I want to show them I’m the best in the country. So I’m going to show up.”

Last season was Burden’s breakout campaign. He finished with 86 catches, 1,212 yards, nine touchdowns and 14.1 yards per catch.

As a member of the Class of 2022, Burden was a five-star-plus recruit out of Saint Louis (Mo.) East, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the class.

Former Alabama coach Nick Saban was present at SEC Media Days in his new role at ESPN. He loves Burden and the wide receiver brings to the table.

“He’s a complete player at the wide receiver position,” Saban said. “The guy’s got great hands and is a good route runner. He’s got explosive speeds to get on top of the defense. He can run good routes and get possession plays on third down when you need it. I think they have a good quarterback, which obviously is going to complement his abilities to play. I just think he’s a team player and a complete player at that position.”

The Tigers should get some help from a relatively easy schedule, as they play only two teams who won 10 or more games this past season. Six of its eight conference opponents won seven or fewer games.

That should allow Burden and the passing game all the opportunity to shine and live up to the preseason expectations that Mizzou has. The Tigers open up the year on Aug. 21 with a matchup against Murray State in Columbia.