2024 LB Jordan Burns likened to 'Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker'

Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy 2024 linebacker Jordan Burns has been a new name on the major college football recruiting scene in the first half of the season.

Burns was a defensive end last year.

He made the move to stand up and play a more traditional linebacker role in 2022 at a new high school. He now plays outside linebacker with speed and the ability to play the middle linebacker spot as well. Burns measured at 6-foot-1, 217 pounds with an 80-inch wingspan at multiple college camps in the summer.

Burns has exploded with good film and strong measurables. He added offers from Auburn, Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic last week.

The college coaches have raved about the fast-rising linebacker. They’ve given him a lofty comparison.

“They’ve been saying they like the way I play as a linebacker,” Burns told On3. “They like my explosiveness. They said they can use me at middle linebacker, outside linebacker and all those positions. I’m getting compared to Quay Walker, a bigger version of Nakobe Dean and Roquan Smith.”

Burns also has major closing speed. On Friday night, there were a few plays that were heading to the opposite side of the field and Burn closed the ground and made the tackle from behind.

He runs a 4.5 as a junior in high school.

Burns’ time as a defensive end has made him a physical player as well. Every tackle he makes comes with a distinct thud. Burns is receiving interest from a lot of major programs around the country. His growing offer list could be much longer by the end of the 2024 season.