LutherBurden III

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz can point to a number of times when he realized Luther Burden was unlike anybody else he coached. But the story he likes to tell most came in the 2023 season against Florida. "Game on the line, 4th-and-17, he really doesn't even run the route that he's supposed to, but he just has what he calls 'Luther instincts'," Drinkwitz said. "He knew he was open, so Brady (Cook) threw to him. He's always been a gamer. In St. Louis, he's known as 'Touchdown Luther.' If you want a touchdown you just have to get the ball to Luther." The Tigers did that a lot. In 2023, Burden finished second in the SEC in receptions with 86 and ninth in all of college football in receiving yards with 1,212. "The thing that stands out to me is his competitive spirit with the ball in his hand, man," Drinkwitz said about the former Five-Star Plus+ recruit and No. 1 overall receiver prospect from East St. Louis High School. "Luther refuses to be tackled. He does a really good job in the biggest moments."