How Purdue transfer wide receiver Deion Burks has adjusted to life with OU football

NORMAN — OU football’s workouts have been an adjustment for Deion Burks.

The Purdue transfer wide receiver, one of the top players at his position in the NCAA transfer portal in the winter, has been welcomed with open arms since he arrived on campus. He’s adapted seamlessly to his classes and his new teammates, but the Sooners’ offseason drills led by strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt took a bit longer.

“Schmitty, he gets at it,” Burks said. “Players be like, ‘Ah, it’s a chill day today.’ It don’t be chill to me; trying to get adjusted.”

That’s why Burks, who had NFL interest after his breakout season in 2023 with 47 catches for 629 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, transferred to OU. He wanted to be challenged mentally and physically in the SEC and bring his game to where it needs to be at the next level, as well as finishing his college degree.

Burks is known for his explosive vertical speed and twitchiness on the field.

New OU receiver Deion Burks had 47 catches for 629 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season for Purdue.

“(OU fans) are going to get the most explosive player,” Burks said of himself. “They’re going to get a hardworking and team player.”

It doesn’t take long for No. 6 in crimson to pop at OU’s spring practices. At 5-foot-9, 189 pounds, Burks plays much bigger and his talent can be spotted from the other end of the field.

“Deion Burks is as competitive a guy as we have on the team,” OU coach Brent Venables said. “He’ll fit in really well with that group of guys. They have a great chemistry already. That’s been a group where not only do we have numbers and guys that are committed.

Burks has primarily worked in the slot this spring and has been a favorite target of quarterback Jackson Arnold’s. With Arnold, a former five-star recruit,…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-transfer-wide-receiver-deion-104544792.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-04-10 10:45:44

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