Mizzou star Luther Burden is a preseason All-American
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Mizzou wide receiver Luther Burden's list of preseason accolades just keeps getting longer and longer. On Monday, the Associated Press announced that the Tiger star is a preseason first-team All-American.
Burden can add that preseason honor to the slew of award watchlists he's made it on, so far, which includes the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, given to the best receiver in college football.
Of course, the honor comes as no surprise, as Burden was a second-team All-America and first-team All-SEC selection following a 2023 season where he posted five consecutive 100-yard receiving performances. During his sophomore campaign he led MU in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He also finished the year second in the SEC and ninth in the nation receiving yards, while he was in the top three for receptions in the conference.
The St. Louis native's 1,212 receiving yards in the 2023 season ranks third on the Tigers' single-season receiving chart. He also made more program history, as he was the eighth player, and first since J'Mon Moore in 2017, to reach the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yardage in a single year.
Burden's sophomore season was one to remember, in combination with a Cotton Bowl win, but he made an impact the moment he stepped onto Mizzou's campus. During his freshman year, in 2022, he saw action in all 13 games, making 10 starts. Burden finished the year with 45 catches, 375 yards and five touchdowns. His eight offensive scores were the most among true freshmen in the FBS.
The 2024 season could be Burden's last in the black and gold, as his NFL Draft stock continues to rise. There has been no announcement on the receiver's future plans, as he is focusing on the season ahead.
Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has stated time-and-time again that Burden changed the direction of the Mizzou football program. The former consensus five-star recruit committed to the Tigers in a time when it wasn't so popular and, in the words of his head coach, 'made it okay for other top recruits to come, as well.'
Burden and the Tigers will kickoff against Murray State in the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Faurot Field. The game is slated to start at 7 p.m.
