Mike Elko compares Luther Burden to Deebo Samuel

Texas A&M will face a huge challenge this weekend when it takes on unbeaten Missouri and explosive receiver Luther Burden.

Given the comparison coach Mike Elko offered for Burden, it’s safe to say the Aggies are taking the Tigers’ top threat very, very seriously. They have a healthy amount of respect for what he can do.

“A lot. I think we always try to make the best comparisons we can think of, and the best one we could think of was Deebo Samuel when he was at South Carolina,” Elko said. “And I think Luther is maybe even more of an advanced pass-catcher at this point in his career.”

Samuel was a first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American selection in 2018, before he went as a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He’s since become an All-Pro and Pro-Bowler.

As a college player, Samuel recorded 2,076 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He exploded for 11 touchdowns during his senior year.

Luther Burden has many of those same qualities, as well as the production.

“He’s a different kind of slot because he’s so thick,” Elko said, breaking down the challenge in defending him. “Normally when you think of slots you think of these twitchy, athletic guys, which he is. But they’re a little bit smaller in demeanor, which he is not. He’s that big, tall, physical kid. So he can do a lot of things with the ball in his hands. They try to make sure he gets enough touches every game to make sure he impacts the game.”

Luther Burden’s had a somewhat quieter start to the 2024 season, recording 19 catches for 257 yards and four touchdowns through the first four games. But he’s coming off a season in which he logged 86 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.

He’s also logged the occasional carries out of the backfield, making him even harder to get a bead on.

“It’s really hard to keep the ball out of his hands,” Elko said. “So we’ve got to try to limit his touches as best we can and try to limit his explosive plays as best we can. And certainly be aware of him, but can’t do too much because they’ve got a lot of really talented players on this offense.”

Luther Burden and Missouri will meet Texas A&M on the road at noon ET on Saturday, with a national broadcast on ESPN.