Tag: DJ Burns Jr.

NC State star DJ Burns Jr. has ‘zero’ interest in playing football

Local Final Four star DJ Burns Jr. probably won’t be trading in his rock for the pigskin.

It’s time to let North Carolina State University basketball star DJ Burns Jr. focus on being North Carolina State University basketball star DJ Burns Jr. (And let’s put an emphasis on the “basketball” part.)

On Thursday, the Rock Hill, S.C. native spoke with reporters ahead of the Wolfpack’s Final Four matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers. When asked if he has any interest in eventually trading in the rock for the pigskin, Burns didn’t seem too intent on any type of switch:

Outside chatter regarding a change from basketball to football arose last week, after Burns led NC State past the Duke Blue Devils with a dominant 29-point performance in the Elite Eight. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports reported the following day that multiple NFL scouts and general managers had texted him suggesting the 6-foot-9, 275-pound forward could make for a intriguing offensive tackle prospect.

But, at least for now, Burns has a tall order ahead of him in two-time All-American Zach Edey and the No. 1-seeded Boilermakers.

[lawrence-related id=694741,694724,694615]

Local Final Four star DJ Burns Jr. garnering attention from NFL execs

Rock Hill, S.C. native and NC State star DJ Burns Jr. is apparently catching the attention of some NFL scouts and GMs.

Could DJ Burns Jr. go from the block to the blindside?

With yet another dominant March Madness performance, the Rock Hill, S.C. native and North Carolina State University star is continuing to take the nation by storm. His 29-point Easter outing led the Wolfpack past the ACC rival Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight round, helping give the program their first Final Four appearance since 1983.

But Burns isn’t only grabbing the attention of the basketball world. According to Fox Sports senior national writer Peter Schrager, the 6-foot-9, 275-pound forward has NFL scouts and general managers thinking a little bit outside the box . . .

This wouldn’t be the first time a local college athlete made the Final Four while football came calling. Remember that kid named Julius Peppers?

While football was obviously on the forefront for the standout defensive end, Peppers was a reserve for the University of North Carolina’s Final Four squad in 1999. The Wilson, N.C. boy only went on to become a unanimous All-American, a second overall pick, a nine-time Pro Bowler and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

So even though Burns would have a different road to the NFL, it seems to be an open one.

[lawrence-related id=694440,691264,691044]