Interview: 3-Star 2020 Arkansas TE/DE Bryant Burns Talks Baylor Bears Visit and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The good word is getting out on the recruiting trail about Class of 2020 tight end/defensive end Bryant Burns. The Ozark High School All-State standout has turned in back-to-back prolific seasons as a receiving threat pulling in 33 passes for 748 yards with 11 scores in 2017 then followed that up with a 27-reception 637-yard seven-touchdown campaign during his junior year with defenses keying on him. On defense, he performed at an elite level against 4A Arkansas competition as a sophomore with 74 stops, 53 solo, 11 tackles for a loss, four sacks, five QB hurries, a pick, and forced four fumbles. Even with defenses scheming against him in 2018, the 6-3, 220-pound, defender came up with 48 tackles, 32 solo, 16 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, eight QB hurries, forced two fumbles and blocked a punt.
Interest has been building for Burns with previous campus invites from Memphis, Air Force, Louisiana-Lafayette, and in-state power Arkansas. An offer has been extended from Arkansas Tech with new interest coming in for the three-star recruit. On Wednesday, Burns visited Baylor giving RNG an exclusive on the visit.
*Click link for Feb. 27, 2019, RNG interview with Bryant Burns
Interview
Bryant, I have seen the pictures you posted on Twitter. It looks like you had a lot of fun at Baylor, how did the visit go?
“It was amazing. We were there for their 6:00 a.m. practice. It was awesome from start to finish.”
What? 6:00 a.m.? What was that like getting up that early for a visit?
“It was fun getting up for that. We went down to Waco the night before, got up at 5:30, and headed over there for the visit.”
What did you think of the practice from the pace to the drills?
“With the first practice of spring and being that early, I expected a slower pace but they were on top of everything. It was much better than I expected. It flowed with energy.”
What else did you do during the visit?
“We toured the football facilities and we toured the campus.”
What are your impressions of the campus and the visit overall?
“They have a beautiful campus. Everyone is friendly there from the students, faculty, coaches, players, and alumni.”
Did you get a chance to talk to the coaches?
“Yes, sir. We, the recruits there, spoke with our recruiting coaches and when the practice was over we spoke with our position coaches and the recruiter for our area.”
What did you talk about with the coaches?
“They were happy with everything they saw off my game film and extended a camp invite for further evaluation.”
I know you have taken visits to Arkansas, Memphis, and Louisiana, have you taken any other visits since we last spoke in late February?
“Yes, sir. I visited North Texas.”
How did the North Texas visit go?
“They have a beautiful campus with great facilities. Everything was top notch there.”
Do you have any other upcoming visits planned?
“Yes, sir. On Sunday, I am going to Missouri State and on March 30 I am going to Vanderbilt. I also plan to visit Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State, Rice, and Arkansas – they have all invited me for a visit. What all I get to do depends on baseball and the timing. It is difficult to visit all of these schools in such a short time span.”
Last time we spoke recruiting for you was really taking off. Which schools are showing new interest?
“Baylor, Arkansas State, Vanderbilt, and Rice are showing interest and Arkansas Tech has offered.”
Bryant, I appreciate your time today and wish you success on your upcoming visits.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Burns family; Bryant Burns at Baylor