Razorbacks' Treylon Burks enters 2022 NFL Draft

December 10, 2021

In a post on social media, Treylon Burks, wide receiver for the Arkansas Razorbacks, announced that he will opt-out of his senior season and prepare for the NFL Draft.

The 6'3" 225-pound junior made the announcement around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, a decision that, while painful for Razorback fans to hear, had to be somewhat expected for a player of his caliber. The 15 practices in bowl games and participation in postseason games can put high-level draft prospects at risk for injury, which can negatively impact their draft stock and future earnings.

"Other than representing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there has been no greater honor in my life than representing Warren and the entire State of Arkansas these past three years," Burks wrote on social media. "I may be leaving the state, but Arkansas will always be home and I will never stop calling those Hogs."

Earlier Tuesday, Burks was named a first-team All-SEC choice by a panel of media members, mirroring his position in the voting of SEC coaches.

Burks' achievements

Burks was a versatile weapon for the Razorbacks. On the field, he lined up as an H-back, F receiver, and X/Z receiver. His quick feet and sudden movements all help him separate from his opponents and find grass after he catches the ball.

Unlike most receivers, Burks is built much like a tailback, giving some of the nation's best defensive backfields and coordinators trouble. His play strength puts him among the top players of his class as he can easily win against press coverage and break open-field tackles.

As Arkansas struggled offensively during his freshman season, Burks saw a lot of action as a punt returner. He ran the ball at a high level the past two seasons as a wideout, chasing team victories as well as the records of Arkansas greats like Jarius Wright and Greg Childs, both of whom also attended Warren High School.

As he broke a Razorbacks record in the final game of the season with his sixth 100-yard game, Burks finished with seven catches for 129 yards and a touchdown against Missouri.

Burks had a very successful season in 2020, with 51 catches for 820 yards and seven touchdowns in just nine games. Kadarius Toney of Florida was the only other FBS receiver to accumulate 800 receiving yards and 70 rushing yards during that season.

This time, 66 receptions for over 1,100 yards and eleven touchdowns capped off a stellar year for the talented pass-catcher.

First-round pick possibility

Burks is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, set for April 28-30, 2022 at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Some experts started to predict the possible landing spots for Burks.

Pro Football Focus said it could be the Miami Dolphins No. 19, while CBS Sports predicted No. 20 for the Washington Football Team. Walter Football went with No. 24 to the Detroit Lions as Sporting News suggested the Green Bay Packers no. 30. Nevertheless, he will be a desirable prospect for virtually any team needing a wide receiver due to his combination of size, speed, and skill.

Burks would be the eighth Razorback, joining Frank Ragnow, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Jamaal Anderson, Matt Jones, Ahmad Carroll, and Shawn Andrews, if he's selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Jake
Jake Williams
Jake Williams is a sports gambling expert. He's been writing in the sports betting and DFS industry for over a decade. He specializes in MLB and NBA, along with College Basketball and College Football.