Tag: Major Burns

Brian Kelly updates the status of suspended LSU safety Joe Foucha

Foucha is currently set to miss the next three games after issues with getting his credits transferred from Arkansas.

One of LSU’s biggest offseason additions didn’t suit up for the season-opening loss against Florida State, and shortly after kickoff, we found out why.

Safety [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag] is one of several Tigers players dealing with academic suspensions, and he is set to miss the next three games, as well. At his press conference on Wednesday, coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said that Foucha’s suspension stems from issues with transfer credits from Arkansas, where he previously started 33 games.

“It’s really unfortunate,” Kelly said. “Joe’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”

Foucha is reportedly attempting to appeal his suspension, and Kelly said that the team hopes to get him back as soon as it can.

One of several high-profile transfer additions in the secondary, Foucha was expected to be a major contributor in defense. Sophomore [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] started in his place on Sunday and performed fairly well, recording eight tackles (two for a loss).

Given the way LSU’s defense performed on Saturday, it will certainly hope to get Foucha back in the fold, if for no other reason than to replenish the depth in the defensive backfield.

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Report: LSU safety facing four-game academic suspension

The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander reports that Foucha’s suspension regards academic issues stemming from his transfer.

When LSU took the field on Sunday night for the first game of the Brian Kelly era, there were a lot of new faces wearing Tigers uniforms. However, transfer safety [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag] was not among them. We now know why.

According to a report from Wilson Alexander of The Advocate, Foucha is facing a four-game academic suspension stemming from his transfer to Baton Rouge from Arkansas. Foucha, a fifth-year senior and New Orleans native who started 33 games with the Razorbacks, was expected to be a starter in the defensive backfield this offseason.

That’s why it came as a surprise that reports from camp indicated Foucha had fallen to second on the depth chart behind [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag]. Now, we may know why.

Running back [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] (two games) and cornerback [autotag]Raydarious Jones[/autotag] (season) also currently face academic suspensions.

The Tigers have a litany of new additions in the secondary, and starter or not, Foucha was a key part of the plans at the position. Without him, the unproven group will be even thinner.

Wilson reports that his suspension is being appealed and could be reduced. As things currently stand, Foucha is slated to make his return on Oct. 1 against Auburn.

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Brian Kelly has high expectations for LSU’s safety group

Kelly praised the development of some of the veterans in the defensive backfield.

Safety has been a point of concern for LSU these last couple of years.

There have been injuries, blown coverages, and talented players coming up a little bit short. [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] spoke about the safety group during his radio show on Thursday night, and he said he feels good about where that group is at.

“The safety play has really picked up for us,” Kelly said, “I think Jay Ward’s been really solid for us. I think Greg Brooks has come in from Arkansas and really kind of settled us down at the nickel position with [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag].”

On the other side of Ward is [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag]. Kelly had high praise for him too, saying he’s “galvanized” that back end for the defense. Kelly added that Burns is “really smart” and a “great communicator.”

LSU should have its best safety play since Grant Delpit left after 2019. It sounds like Burns and Ward could both be in line for breakout years. If things go right, LSU will have one of the best safety duos in the SEC.

Pair that up with what LSU has at linebacker and the defensive line, and teams are going to have a hard time working the middle of the field against this defense. That will make things a lot easier for whoever is starting at cornerback on the outside.

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The five most important LSU Tigers against Mississippi State

Which LSU Tigers are the most important for a win on Saturday?

The last time these two teams met, it was a stunner for the ages.

Last September, Mississippi State came into Baton Rouge to open the season and pulled off a massive 44-34 upset over the then No. 6 LSU Tigers.

This season, it’s a little different. LSU started the season out slow with a tough loss at UCLA but has since bounced back with strong wins over a pair of cupcake opponents. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, started the season off 2-0 but lost this past weekend to Memphis after some bewildering officiating. Momentum seems to side with the Tigers heading into this game.

Here are the five most important players for LSU as they take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs this Saturday.

Former Georgia DB Major Burns is coming home to Baton Rouge

Major Burns is headed home.

On Tuesday, Georgia defensive back Major Burns announced that he had found his new home in good ole Baton Rouge. 

The former four-star prospect in the Class of 2020 tweeted that he would be returning to his roots to play for the Tigers.

The Baton Rouge native announced earlier this month that he would be parting ways with the Georiga Bulldogs after one year to begin his search for the perfect fit-leading him to the one and only Death Valley. 

He was ranked No.182 in the 2020 high school player rankings according to the 247Sports Composite.

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It’s still up in the air whether Burns will be eligible to play for the Tigers this upcoming season. The SEC has not yet voted on eliminating a rule that prevents intraconference players from being eligible immediately, but the public should be notified soon. The ruling is expected in early June at the conference’s virtual spring meeting session.

In his first and only season with the Dogs, Burns had a total of five tackles in six games with most of his playing time taking place on special teams. This lone season didn’t quite live up to the expectations set for him coming in hot out of high school, but the Tigers have high hopes for the defensive back prospect and could really utilize his versatility in the secondary. 

Burns has the frame to bulk up as needed and the ability to play safety, corner, or nickel. 

Burns will join the 23 other players signed for the class of 2021, as well as Clemson linebacker transfer Mike Jones Jr. maxing the class out at 25 players. 

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Former Tiger tight end Arik Gilbert is technically still allotted a scholarship to play for LSU since he never formally joined with another school. 

The Tigers are stacking the roster with elite potential. All that’s left to do is wait on the ruling for immediate intraconference transfer play and Gilbert’s game-time decision –sit back, relax, and pray to Mike the Tiger that both outcomes are in our favor. 


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Georgia DB Major Burns enters transfer portal

Georgia football defensive back Major Burns has announced a decision to enter the transfer portal. Details here

Georgia sophomore defensive back Major Burns has entered the transfer portal. The former four-star recruit announced the decision in a Twitter post on Monday afternoon.

Burns was rated as the No. 11 safety in the 2020 recruiting class.

The Baton Rouge, La., native was selected to play in the 2020 Under Armor All-American game, which hosts the top high school prospects each year. In his one season for the Bulldogs, Burns saw action in six of 10 games and recorded five tackles with a career-best three stops versus Florida.

With Burns’ decision, Georgia football’s carousel at defensive back continues. Georgia had four defensive backs drafted to the NFL last weekend, including Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell, Richard LeCounte and Mark Webb. And we can’t forget about Tyrique Stevenson, who transferred to Miami earlier this year.

That leaves quite a large hole in the secondary of a team who looks to compete for a national title in 2021. Georgia did add West Virginia corner Tykee Smith but the Bulldogs will have to rely on talented but inexperienced guys to help fill the void. Here are the Dawgs’ current options in the secondary headed into the season.

  • Christopher Smith – senior defensive back
  • Lewis Cine – senior defensive back
  • Ameer Speed – senior cornerback
  • Latavious Brini – senior defensive back
  • William Poole – senior defensive back
  • Javon Bullard – freshman defensive back
  • Jalen Kimber – redshirt freshman cornerback
  • Kelee Ringo – redshirt freshman cornerback
  • Nyland Green – freshman cornerback

Georgia football player card: DB Major Burns

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA after being rated as a four-star recruit.

Major Burns, defensive back (No. 20):

Class: Freshman

Height: 6-2

Weight: 175 pounds

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

High School: Madison Prep Academy

Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Major Burns committed to UGA despite playing high school football in LSU’s backyard. Burns enrolled early at the University of Georgia.

He came to Athens as a four-star recruit. He was quite a versatile athlete in high school, where he played several different positions.

Daran Branch, Kelee Ringo (who recently underwent shoulder surgery), Jalen Kimber, and Major Burns make up Georgia’s four scholarship defensive backs in the class of 2020. The four should all have a bright future.

Dan Lanning, Kirby Smart, and the Georgia defense are looking to replace the safety spot opposite Richard LeCounte this year. Lewis Cine is projected to start at safety, but Burns has the talent to compete with Cine and possibly play as a true freshman.

Burns will add weight to his lengthy frame over the years in Athens. He’s ready for the 2020 college football season:

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Georgia football: A 2020 recruiting summary so far

Georgia football has jumped to the #3 spot on the 2020 national football recruiting rankings. They trail only Clemson and Alabama.

The Georgia Bulldogs have already had a very successful offseason recruiting wise.

The Dawgs now have three 5-star commits signed and still have more to go after.

5-star athlete/tight end Darnell Washington has signed with Georgia already and is ranked as the #1 2020 athlete and #6 overall prospect, on ESPN’s top 300.  The 6 foot 7.5 inch TE will bring a whole new dimension to the Bulldog receiving corps and will provide amazing protection to whoever is in the driving seat under center for Georgia’s offense next season.

5-star outside linebacker Mekhail Sherman has also signed with the Dawgs and is ranked as the #1 OLB recruit in the 2020 class.  Sherman is 6’3″ 234 lbs and his highlight tapes are scary good.  Sherman will help beef up an already strong UGA LB group and was a huge signing for Georgia.

The last 5-star so far for the 2020 class is offensive tackle Broderick Jones.  Jones is a 6’5″ 275 lb offensive lineman out of Lithonia, Georgia that could likely battle for a starting spot on next years team.  With Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson projected to go very early in the 2020 NFL Draft, there will be a massive hole to fill on the Dawgs O-Line, and Jones could be the man to fill that void.  Jones is ranked as the #2 OT in the 2020 class.

4-star RB signee Kendall Milton is the #6 ranked RB in the 2020 class and will play a major role in helping Georgia’s run game when D’Andre Swift departs for the NFL, currently favored to be the 1st running back selected in the 2020 Draft.

4-star OT Tate Ratledge will aid Broderick Jones in making up for some big offensive line losses this offseason.

4-star QB Carson Beck will be on the hunt for the starting job if Fromm decides to forgo his senior year and head to the NFL.  He will likely have to beat out Stetson Bennett and D’Wan Mathis (if healthy).

4-star safety Major Burns, who flipped from LSU late in his commitment will hope to step in and replace J.R. Reed, who will also be entering to the NFL Draft.

The Dawgs currently sit at #3 on the national 2020 recruiting list with three 5-stars, fourteen 4-stars, and three 3-stars all signed.

Watch: Georgia football signee delivers emotional speech after announcement

After fighting through tears, Burns was met with a hug from his mother and roaring applause from the Madison Prep audience. 

One day after announcing his commitment to the University of Georgia, four-star safety Major Burns took a minute to deliver an emotional speech of gratitude to an audience of those who helped him along the way.

“I’m so thankful. I want to thank my mom. She sacrificed a lot.”

He proceeded to thank his brothers, his principal, and one great influence who was unable to participate in the day’s events.

Burns took a long pause after thanking his late father, Tony.

“Even though he’s not here with me today, he made me the man I am.”

After fighting through tears, Burns was met with a hug from his mother and roaring applause from the Madison Prep audience.

Major Burns gave his father another reason to be proud today.

Major Burns signs with Georgia football

Having played his high school ball in Baton Rouge, the four-star safety was long expected to be an LSU Tiger.

Just one day after pledging his commitment to Georgia, Major Burns is officially a Dawg.

Having played his high school ball in Baton Rouge, the four-star safety was long expected to be an LSU Tiger.

A late visit from Kirby Smart changed that.