Nick Saban calls Luther Burden a 'complete player at the wide receiver position'

Missouri receiver Luther Burden enters this season primed to be a star in the SEC, even earning some high praise from Nick Saban. Burden had a breakout year as a sophomore to finish with 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns as the Tigers finished the year 11-2.

Those numbers make him the conference’s leading returning receiver as Missouri is expected to continue its success this season. The former Alabama coach provided his assessment of Burden during SEC media days.

“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.”

A St. Louis native, Burden came to Missouri in 2022 with massive expectations. He was ranked not only as the top prospect in the state, but also the No. 1 receiver in the cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

So far he’s more than lived up to that billing and should have an opportunity to truly take the next step into superstardom this year. In addition to his impressive yardage, Burden also showed he has some of the most reliable hands in college football with only four dropped passes in 2023.

The Tigers also bring back starting quarterback Brady Cook, as Saban alluded to. Cook threw for 3,317 yards and 21 touchdowns to six interceptions this past season and is now entering his third year throwing to Burden. That should lead to increased chemistry between the pair as Missouri hopes to make a push for the College Football Playoff.

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 Luther 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.