Missouri landed a commitment from one of the top players in the 2022 recruiting class on Tuesday, when five-star receiver Luther Burden picked the Tigers over Alabama and Georgia. Burden is considered the No. 6 overall prospect in the class and No. 2 wide receiver by the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Burden immediately became the highest-ranked player in Missouri’s 2022 class, ranking as the second-highest commitment for the Tigers in the 247Sports era. His commitment comes at a welcome time for second-year Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz as the Tigers have struggled to a 3-4 (0-3 SEC) mark this season. Missouri was already putting together a strong class ranked 18th nationally and sixth in the the SEC by the 247Sports team rankings, and Burden’s commitment only solidifies the strong group.
“All these schools have been a great experience for me and this has been the most difficult decision of my life,” Burden told 247Sports. “I chose Mizzou because I want to be the first — big recruits in St. Louis go to places like Georgia and Alabama and I want to stay home and take our talents to Missouri. It just feels like I need to be there and I need to make a change in my own state.”
Burden already has 46 catches for 742 yards and 12 touchdowns eight games into his senior season at East St. Louis High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. The 6-foot, 200-pound athlete visited Georgia for the No. 1 Bulldogs’ win over Kentucky last week, but the Tigers won out over their SEC East foe in the battle for Burden.
247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu likened Burden to Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin, a former Penn State star who was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Here is the full scouting report on Burden from Trieu:
“Above-average size and build,” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu said. “Very good athlete who is also a standout basketball player. Has been productive in two varsity seasons. Shows the ability to make plays from all over the field. Can take screens and break long gains and can be a downfield receiver who wins contested passes. Long strider, very smooth and has excellent body control. Has not been verified as far as speed. Can still get more explosive in and out of his breaks. Still on the raw side as far as craft, but has great upside with his natural athleticism and competitiveness. Should be an early impact college player and have a chance to be an early NFL pick.”
Burden made 35 catches for 747 yards and five touchdowns in five games during the 2020 season, according to Maxpreps. He is considered the No. 1 overall player from the state of Illinois by 247Sports and the 247Sports Composite.
