Luther Burden III will turn pro this spring. The Missouri wideout confirmed on Monday he will declare for the 2025 NFL draft, foregoing the team’ bowl game in the process. 
“I feel like this is the best time to enter the draft,” Burden said (via ESPN’s Pete Thamel). “I’m confident in myself and what I can do at the next level. I’m ready for the next step.”
Burden made an impact as a true freshman in 2022. He recorded 375 yards on 45 catches, scoring eight total touchdowns (six receiving, two rushing). Last season saw him take a notable step forward with a statline of 86-1,212-9. That production earned him first-team All-SEC honors and helped Burden enter the 2024 campaign as one of the top draft-eligible receivers.
While the Tigers went 9-3 this season, their offense took a step back compared to 2023. Burden’s reception (61), yardage (676) and touchdown (six) totals all regressed, as did his efficiency (11.1 yards per catch). Still, the 5-11, 208-pounder should find himself squarely on the Day 1 radar come April’s draft.
Burden is seen as a top-five receiver prospect by ESPN’s draft analysts, with Matt Miller slotting him at the top of the board at the WR spot. The title of No. 1 option at that position may well belong to two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter, who as expected will also be in the 2025 class. It remains to be seen if Hunter will play on offense or defense at the NFL (if not both), though, and in terms of pure receivers Burden is joined by the likes of Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) and Isaiah Bond (Texas) as prospects who will not need to wait long to hear their names called.
Given his size and skillset – which entails plenty of production after the catch – Burden has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel. Teams in need of pass-catching help would certainly welcome the possibility of Burden enjoying a similar career to the 49ers All-Pro. In any case, he will be one of the top prospects to follow over the course of the pre-draft process.