4-star DL Vic Burley ready to see what Clemson, Georgia have to offer
The recruiting process for Vic Burley, the 12th ranked player in the class of 2023, is one of gratefulness and support.
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive lineman from Warner Robins (Ga.) High School has offers from some of the country’s elite college football programs in only his junior year of high school.
Burley’s offer list looks like a rundown of the College Football Playoff participants for the first decade of its existence.
Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas A&M and multiple others have offered Burley scholarships.
Burley has put a premium on privacy in the process. He wants to do his recruitment the right way.
“I’m just soaking it in right now,” Burley said. “I’m not trying to make any mistakes in recruiting process. I’m just trying to take it slow and enjoy it.”
Family has been Burley’s main support system during his recruitment. He’s also sought council from his girlfriend.
“I just want to give thanks to my support system for having my back,” Burley said. “This recruiting process is a very stressful thing. The people in my corner make it much easier for me… I’m trying to stay in my corner with my recruitment and not really let it out into the public.”
Vic Burley to take in Georgia- Clemson game
Vic Burley has options, and they’re all on the table still.
He will be in Charlotte this weekend to watch two of the teams on his list, Clemson and Georgia face one another.
Both teams are ranked in the top five in the Associated Press and coaches’ polls to begin the 2021 season. The elite defensive lineman won’t be picking sides in who wins the game, but he is noticing similarities between the two programs.
Burley has built solid relationships with coaches from both teams. The intriguing part of both Georgia and Clemson’s programs is their interest in Burley as a human being rather than his football gifts.
“I’ve built good relationships with coach (Todd) Bates and coach (Lemanski) Hall,” Burley said. “They are great coaches. They mostly think about the person inside of you, not just the player. That’s throughout the whole program… I feel the same way about Georgia. They think the same way. They think more about the person than the football player.”
Burley is considering fit more than anything in his recruitment. He has the blueblood offers. He has the ability to play in nearly every defensive scheme.
The fit will be one of the deciding factors in the long run.
“I think about that all that time,” Burley said. “If I don’t fit the program, then it won’t work out in my favor. I’ve got to go to a program where I fit in and work hard and go along with the program.”
Burley still hungry
Burley played much of Friday’s 50-34 win over Archer dealing with a wrist injury. He admits he’s not 100% but being out there trying to contribute in as many ways as he can.
Burley was able to force a safety as the Archer quarterback had to elude his pressure by throwing the ball away causing an intentional grounding penalty.
He also came in on short yardage as a blocker to pave the way for a few rushing touchdowns in the red zone.
The injury is teaching Burley a few lessons.
“Some people get comfortable and stop there,” Burley said. “I’m never comfortable. I’m always hungry and always trying to get better.”
Burley is still hungry.