At the tail end of the third round (pick no. 104), the University of Utah saw their fourth player drafted, on the night, as versatile strong strong, Terrell Burgess, was taken by the Los Angeles Rams. Burgess, who can play both strong safety and nickel back, brought out in a big way during the 2019 season, making him one of the most inspirational stories of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Utah career highlights
Patience is a virtue, just ask Terrell Burgess, who capitalized off of an outstanding senior season. During the 2019 season he was an honorable mention all Pac-12 selection. For his 2019 campaign he was third best on the team in tackles with 81 total, 7.5 of those were for loss. He also had two fumble recoveries which was good for fourth in the Pac-12. Burgess’s best game of his career as a Ute was in the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon in which he accounted for a career-high 12 tackles and a pass breakup. He was an unquestioned team leader for one of the best defenses in the country.
Before his senior year, Burgess had two starts in the 2018 season and one start in the 2017 season. During his 2017 campaign he had an eight tackle game against Washington. Burgess was a great student as well and was listed as a two-time all Pac-12 academic selection.
PFF stats
(Keep in mind, his snap counts the last 2 years were 153 and 222, compared to 783 this year)
SO- 70.2 overall, 83.2 tackling, 67.7 coverage
JR- 70.0 overall, 72.1 tackling, 67.9 coverage
SR- 85.3 overall, 74.3 tackling, 90.4 coverage (that's the #4 coverage score among safeties)
Pros and Cons
Burgess is a solid athlete and proves that in his coverage ability one-on-one with a slot receiver. What really stands out is that he also does a great job from the instinctually aspect, as a defensive back. Burgess is really able to diagnose the flow of a play quickly and react on the football to make a play. He is also a terrific open-field tackler which will really benefit him as a nickelback or a strong safety at the next level. Throughout his Utes career, Burgess also made a substantial contribution on special teams and with his work ethic he will be ready to go wherever he is placed.
Burgess is usually in the right place at the right time to make a play on the football, but his athleticism definitely doesn’t “wow,” anyone—he’s just as steady as they come. I would definitely like to see him finish plays on the football a little more with a ballhawk mentality, but he still has plenty of room to grow. Once he is able to be a ballhawk, he will be an elite playmaker at the next level.
What the player brings to NFL
Burgess brings a lot of excitement in multiple facets of his game at the next level. In his coverage ability, his ability to open-field tackle consistently, instinctually, and a very high football IQ. He is also a very high-character guy and has certainly grown into not only a great playmaker during his time at Utah, but a high-character man as well. Many Utes fans will have a lot to look forward to in seeing the progress of Burgess’ career in the NFL for years to come.
