Jermaine Burton responds to Mecole Hardman's criticism after transfer from Georgia to Alabama
The Georgia Bulldogs just took down the Alabama Crimson Tide in the National Championship. Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton announced shortly after the conclusion of the season that he was entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. On Sunday, Burton announced that he was transferring to a fairly surprising team: Alabama.
Burton’s decision to transfer to Alabama after just beating the Crimson Tide for the national title grew some heavy criticism from the Georgia faithful.
Former Georgia and current Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman even chimed in, strongly criticizing Burton’s decision.
“How you go to the team we just beat? And leave a team you won the natty with?” Hardman asked.
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For Burton, though, the criticism he has received is irrelevant. He responded to Hardman’s strong response to his decision, saying that he doesn’t care who agrees with his move.
“Why it matter on who agree? My career. Nobody else’s,” Burton tweeted.
Hardman played at Georgia from 2016-2018. He caught 60 passes in his career for 961 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed 13 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns. The Chiefs selected Hardman in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Burton is the highest rated wide receiver to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal during this cycle to this point. He is the fifth-highest ranked player to enter the portal overall.
Burton caught 53 passes in his two years at Georgia
Prior to coming to Georgia, Burton was a four-star recruit according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Alabama was involved in his original recruitment, as was LSU, Florida, Auburn, and many others.
As a true freshman in 2020, Burton caught 27 passes for 404 yards and three touchdowns in Georgia’s offense. He also had four rushing attempts for 50 yards. This season, Burton caught 26 passes for 497 yards and five touchdowns.
Burton caught a 57-yard touchdown in the College Football Playoff semifinal victory over Michigan. In the SEC Championship against Alabama, he caught three passes for 36 yards. In the National Championship, Burton had two receptions and 28 yards.
By transferring to Alabama, Burton is putting himself in a position to have an immediately larger role on offense. The Crimson Tide are losing receivers Jameson Williams, John Metchie, and Slade Bolden to the NFL, leaving some serious holes on the offense. Burton could be in line for a big role right away.