NC State Wolfpack forward DJ Burns has become a fan-favorite across the country during the NCAA Tournament, with basketball fans and avid followers of March Madness rallying behind the 6-foot-9 big man. While he’s focused on leading the Wolfpack to a win in the Final Four, the NFL is keeping a close eye on him.
Burns has displayed some nice agility and movement for his size. Once an unknown player at Winthrop, the South Carolina native has made a name for himself in the NCAA Tournament. Amid a huge boom in his following and even more attention nationally, Burns has been talked up as a potential 2024 NFL Draft prospect.
- DJ Burns stats: 13 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 2.8 APG< 53.4% FG
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There are success stories of college basketball players who transitioned to pro football. Antonio Gates, one of the best tight ends of all time, played college basketball at Kent State then signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers in 2003. Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez also played college basketball at Cal-Berkeley.
- DJ Burns stats in NCAA tournament (ESPN): 18.3 PPG, 5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 67.4% FG
Burns certainly doesn’t have the athleticism to convert to tight end, however, he has received NFL interest during NC State’s run. Amid NFL general managers and scouts now talking him up for a career change to pro football, Burns recently addressed the possibility of entering the NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel notes that Burns told reporters on Thursday that he has ‘zero’ interest in playing football. While he understand why he’s generating attention, his passion is only for playing basketball.
“Everybody needs a story to keep it interesting. Maybe there was too much downtime for people to think or something, but I ain’t playing no football.”
NC State Wolfpack forward DJ Burns Jr. on his interest in playing professional football (H/T ESPN)
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Why the NFL is unlikely for DJ Burns
Talent evaluators will look everywhere for a potential diamond in the rough who could be turned into a quality football player. It’s a big part of the reason why the NFL created the International Player Pathway program, which finds elite athletes globally with little background in football and attempts to develop them into NFL-caliber players.
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- DJ Burns height and weight: 6-foot-9 and 260 pounds
While Burns’ height and athleticism are enticing, he is also only listed at 260 pounds. Realistically, he would have to put on significant weight to have to even have a shot at playing offensive tackle. Plus, as he told reporters, he hasn’t played football since the eighth grade when he received his first scholarship offer in basketball.
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If Burns is going to become a professional athlete, he wants it to be as a basketball player. As for Burns’ NBA Draft stock. Kevin O’Connell of The Ringer doesn’t list Burns among his top 60 prospects in 2024, he’s unranked in CBS Sports‘ top 40 draft prospects and NBA.com’s mock draft doesn’t have Burns being drafted.