Deion Burks Scouting Report

By: Michael Higgins

(Image courtesy of Oklahoma Athletics)

School: Oklahoma

Class: Redshirt Senior

Position: WR

HT: 5’9

WT: 188 lbs

Background: Deion Burks was a 3-star wide receiver in the 2021 class out of Inkster, Michigan. Burks was ranked as a top 900 player and a top 125 wide receiver in his class. Burks played for Belleville High School, where, as a junior, he had 819 yards and 12 touchdowns on 35 receptions. In addition to football, Burks also competed in track & field. Deion Burks committed to play for Purdue over Indiana, Kentucky, and others.

College: Burks redshirted as a freshman in 2021 and recorded 7 catches for 80 yards in 2022. Deion had a breakout campaign in 2023 as a redshirt sophomore. He started all 12 games for the Boilermakers, recording 47 receptions for 629 yards and 7 touchdowns. Burks transferred to Oklahoma ahead of the 2024 season and was expected to be the Sooners’ top option. Unfortunately, he missed 8 games due to injury and never really got going. He returned to Oklahoma for his senior season. That was a year in which Burks recorded 57 receptions for 620 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Strengths: Deion Burks is explosive off the line to put cornerbacks on their heels immediately. He is a phenomenal route runner with excellent start-stop ability. He gets in and out of his breaks well to rock defenders off and create separation. His route running is sharp, as he can create separation in tight spaces. Burks also has the straight speed to stack cornerbacks vertically, combining his speed with that explosiveness off the line. In the deep areas of the field, Burks does well to show late hands and track the ball smoothly over his shoulder. Burks is creative with the ball in his space. He is elusive and hard to bring down in the open field.

Weaknesses: Burks is an undersized wide receiver, which is bound to limit him at the next level. Cornerbacks with more length or strength give Burks difficulties both at the line of scrimmage and at the catchpoint. He seems to realize that he has these physical limitations and can be outmuscled. At times, when Burks knows he is about to take a big hit, he drops the ball in a lapse of concentration. As a blocker, he is a net negative. He does not have the desired motor from a blocker, even as a wide receiver. He just seems to not be interested in blocking.

Conclusion: Deion Burks is an athletic slot receiver who is a bolt of electricity with the ball in his hands. He is a dynamic route runner, consistently working himself open to give the quarterback an easy target. His size and play strength are limitations that are undeniable and not items that can simply be improved upon. He will have his role in the NFL and he will need to rely on his strengths.

Best Team Fits: CLE, CAR, NYJ

Player Comparison: Demario Douglas

Player Grade: Round 4 (63.4)