The Opening Finals: 4-star WR Jermaine Burton surrounded by Ohio State ties
FRISCO, Texas — Ohio State commit Lejond Cavazos needs a new roommate at the IMG Academy this fall, but he’s not going to stop recruiting his old one to eventually join him in Columbus. So Jermaine Burton, should expect to keep hearing plenty about the Buckeyes.
Burton is back home in Marietta (Ga.) after sharing living space with Cavazos last year in Bradenton, Fla., and the plan is for him to continue his prep career there this fall. And there he’ll be teammates with yet another Ohio State 2020 verbal, offensive lineman Jake Wray.
As expected, each of these future Buckeyes has tried to put in a good word for the program with the 4-star wide receiver.
“Lejond told me I need to be here with him,” Burton told Lettermen Row following the first day of work at The Opening. “He says it’s an environment like no other, and I’m taking him for his word.
“Jake has told me I should look into Ohio State, but that’s all he’s said.”
Jermaine Burton building his own Ohio State relationships
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Burton is one of just six underclassmen at The Opening Finals. And he told LR that the feelings for Ohio State are growing already.
“Me and the Buckeyes, we’ve established a relationship, I want to say it really started in May,” Burton said. “I’ve talked to receivers coach Zach Smith a few times, and I’m looking forward to getting a visit there. I’m not sure when, but I’m looking forward to getting out there soon, though.”
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Ohio State has not yet offered Burton but he’s a player they’ve got real interest in. Alabama, Georgia, USC, Miami, Penn State, Florida, Oregon and more have. As a 2020 prospect, he’s not yet been able to talk that much with college coaches, but that will change on Sept. 1.
Whatever program recruits him will have to contend with the challenge of getting him to leave the Southeast for college.
“[Leaving the region] is pretty hard,” Burton said.”But I want to fit in a place where I’m really comfortable. It’s about wherever I feel comfortable, my mom feels comfortable, my entire family [feels comfortable].
“Wherever that is, I’m looking for a family-like feeling. A good environment with teammates that play for each other, doing everything for each other, and leaving it out on the field for each other.”
