He felt like an outsider joining the University of Alabama after winning a national championship at Georgia in 2021, but Jermaine Burton has his sights on leading this group of wide receivers with a new starting quarterback.
He was a newcomer, but Burton started to find his rhythm late in the 2022 season with Bryce Young.
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The California native totaled 40 receptions for a team-high 677 yards and seven touchdowns. Burton tied for sixth in the Southeastern Conference for touchdown receptions, but he wants to finish his collegiate career with another national championship. The 6-foot, 194-pounder is now a senior and in his second year with the Crimson Tide. He has an opportunity to become the safety net for either Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson. A first-round draft stock awaits Burton should he have a stellar season in the fall; however, Coach Nick Saban wants to see him improve in one area. On Thursday, Saban shared with reporters where he wants to see growth from Burton. Hopefully, he will respond to Saban’s challenge and excel.
“I think what Jermaine needs to do is … he’s got a lot of talent and ability. I think consistency in performance, which would come from trusting and believing in doing the little things right, and holding himself accountable to paying attention to detail,” Saban said.
Saban wants Burton to focus on small things such as getting the right depth on a route and reading coverages better.
He said when Burton does the little things well, he is an ‘outstanding’ player. Alabama wants to see him grow so that its offense can be as consistent as it needs to be. We will look at Burton more in the spring game and next season to determine how much better he has gotten.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
