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Help on the way for receiving corps
Pirates' top target,
Curtis Burston, answers the call
By
Sammy Batten
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
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Curtis Burston came
South with his family from Brooklyn, NY, eight years ago having
never played a down of organized football.
"I've always enjoyed
football, but I didn't really start playing until about the seventh
grade,'' Burston said. "I started when we came down this way, first to
Virginia and then to North Carolina. When I got down here (South),
people told me how fast I was and that I had natural talent. I just grew
to have a passion for it (football) from there.''
Burston's passion and
talent for football have helped him develop into one of the top college
prospects in the state of North Carolina entering the 2013 season at
Middle Creek High School in Apex. The 247Sports.com network rates the
6-foot-2, 210-pound wide receiver as the state's 31st-best prospect,
while ESPN.com has him at No. 46 on its list.
Although pursued by
Atlantic Coast Conference member Boston College and a trio of smaller
programs, Burston decided to make his pledge on August 17 to play for
East Carolina. The decision, which Burston relayed via telephone first
to his main recruiter, ECU outside receivers coach Dave Nichol, was the
first commitment to the Pirates recruiting Class of 2014 by a wide
receiver.
"I had just had a real
connection with their coaches,'' Burston said. "I really didn't know
much about East Carolina football, except I knew about (former
quarterback) Dominique Davis and I heard they ran an offense similar to
what we do at Middle Creek.
"But in the spring they
(ECU coaches) came up to my school and watched me work out. I guess they
had questions about me before offering (a scholarship). So they wanted
to watch me work out. I did that for them and that got me the offer.
From there, I just formed a bond with the coaches, and that's why I made
the decision.''
The receiver positions
have been a focus of just about every ECU recruiting class since head
coach Ruffin McNeill and offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley arrived
from Texas Tech in 2010. The Class of 2014 was going to be no exception
with the dismissal of Dayon Arrington from the program last September,
and the pending departures of Justin Jones and Lance Ray after the 2013
season via graduation.
Of course, Jones has not
practiced a single minute with the Pirates this preseason as he deals
with eligibility issues. Promising sophomore receiver Jabril Solomon is
in the same boat and hasn't practiced to date. Due to all those
personnel issues, recruiting receivers has become even more of a
priority for the Pirates.
Landing Burston gives the
Pirates a strong start to filling any voids resulting from those
situations.
ECU received the
commitment from Burston over other scholarship offers from Boston
College, Charlotte, Furman and Old Dominion. The ECU coaches told
Burston he is the top receiver they are recruiting.
"They always told me every
time I spoke to them I was the top guy on their (receivers) board,''
Burston said. "They really wanted me. I started to understand that from
the interest they showed in me compared to other colleges. The other
schools wanted me, but not like East Carolina.''
Burston's natural talents
led to two years playing quarterback in the seventh and eighth grades.
But when he reached Middle Creek High as a ninth grader, the coaching
staff moved him first to running back and then to receiver. He showed
such promise at receiver that Burston earned a spot on the varsity
roster as a freshman.
After playing sparingly as
a freshman, Burston moved into a starting role during his sophomore
season. But it was during the 2012 season as Middle Creek was rolling to
an 11-2 overall record and perfect 8-0 mark in the Tri-Nine 4-A
Conference that Burston began to catch the eye of college recruiters.
Burston hauled in 54
receptions for 850 yards and scored eight touchdowns last season to
garner All-Tri-Nine 4-A Conference honors. His year was punctuated by a
208-yard receiving performance in Middle Creek's 30-7 victory against
Green Hope.
Although speedy — he's
been timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash — Burston is best known
for his physical style as a receiver. In fact, his play has led some to
compare him to former North Carolina and current Cleveland Browns
receiver Greg Little.
"I've heard that
comparison to Greg Little a couple of times,'' Burston said. "I think
it's because we're both bigger receivers.
"But I'm more than just a
physical receiver. I have big hands. I have good speed. I enjoy catching
screen passes and making moves. I also love catching the ball deep. I
can do all of that.''
Burston believes his
skills fit perfectly with ECU's up-tempo, spread offense.
"We run almost the same
offense here at Middle Creek, so I think I'll adjust easily,'' Burston
said. "I know they have quite a few really good receivers there, but the
coaches told me if I did what I was supposed to do there would be
opportunities for me to get on the field. They're going to give me a
chance to prove myself.''
East Carolina is expected
to sign as many as three and possibly more wideouts in the Class of 2014.
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08/21/2013 12:57 PM |
