Caleb Burton, Buckeyes long-term relationship sets tone for freshman spring
COLUMBUS — When Caleb Burton committed to Ohio State in November of 2020, it came just days after five-star quarterback Quinn Ewers made the same decision.
The pair had dreams of suiting up together at the college level. The Buckeyes were the program with the offense to make that dream a reality.
When Ewers reclassified to the Class of 2021, it meant their planned arrival in Columbus would be staggered by a handful of months. Ewers arrived in August of 2021 and Caleb Burton was set to land at Ohio State in January of 2022.
Ewers left the Buckeyes program to head back to Texas, the program he had originally been committed to, in December. Burton, still unsigned, was quickly rumored as a potential flip to the Longhorns. The 6-foot, 175-pound receiver never wavered though. His relationship with Ohio State, cemented with receivers coach Brian Hartline, made sure of that. Speaking to the media that covers the Buckeyes for the first time a week ago, Burton explained why that bond was different and why he didn’t see a need to reassess his decision.
“Ohio State is always going to have a [quarterback,]” Burton said. “Coach Hartline … he got to know me for like four, five months before he got to offer me. He was just calling me, checking in with me. Talking to my parents, my sister, building an overall relationship with everyone who supports me.”
Just because Caleb Burton committed days after Ewers, it doesn’t mean he’s a follower. He left Texas for a reason. The Ohio State program is one that will challenge him and he knows that. It’s what his father Charles, one of his high school coaches, did before him.
“My dad is from Houston and he went to Syracuse,” Burton said. “He was pretty far and my parents kind of wanted me to go far. It’s a learning thing, not having parents to go run to.”
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Ohio State just ramped up its winter workouts ahead of spring football this week. Like a lot of freshman, there’s a good chance Caleb Burton is going to wish his parents were closer to Columbus over the next few months. He’ll be trained and worked harder than he has in his life. Burton isn’t a big kid — but he’s an ultra-talented one — and will not be the man for the first time in his football and athletic life. That is another lesson his dad taught him before heading to Columbus.
“He said it’s a good way to mature and learn,” Burton said. “To grow up and face some adversity … I’m just working hard to become the best version of myself every day.”
Burton has seen adversity. He lost his junior season of high school football with a knee injury. He transferred as a senior and wasn’t able to work out with his new team for months. His development was slowed, like everyone else’s, as Covid-19 made life hard to figure out.
But the chance to excel in Columbus is in front of the former five-star prospect. He just has to grab it if he wants to get through it all. That’s the way to make sure his Ohio State success matches the success of fellow Texans Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
When things get hard — and they will — the relationship with Hartline will become even more important.
