San Diego Chargers running back Darren Sproles may have just opened the door a little further for shorter running backs. At least, that’s what Pittsburg High School (TX) running back Ted Burns thinks. Like Sproles, Burns stands about 5′8″ and has had to overcome scouts and coaches overlooking him because of his height. With the success of players like Sproles, coaches cannot afford to miss out on an electrifying player such has Burns.
“He’s so explosive,” said Burns of Sproles. “He put us short guys on the map,” added Burns.
Also like Sproles, Burns brings more than just shifty moves to the field every single week.
“I can do a little of both,” Burns said of being shifty and running with power. “I can out run you or show a little power,” Burns added.
According to Burns, he can also use those skills by caching the ball out of the backfield.
“Running and catching,” Burns said about what he does best on the field. “I can catch too. I’m an all around guy,” added Burns.
As for his height, Burns certainly doesn’t want to be judged by his stature at all.
“I don’t like hearing that at all,” Burns said. “You can’t tell how good a player is by his height, just how he plays,” Burns added.
With Burns’ Pittsburg High School football team only losing 4 seniors after last season, the 2009 season is shaping up nicely for Burns.
“We should be pretty good. We only lost 1 senior starter on offense and 2 on defense,” said Burns. “I have been working out with my running backs coach all summer doing bleachers, squatting, and push ups and sit ups. I’ve been working hard and preparing,” Burns added of this upcoming season.
As for his recruitment, Burns has an impressive list of Big 12 school that have been recruiting him. Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas State, and Kansas are all on his list. One of those schools just talked to Burns yesterday, and another is #1 on his list right now.
“I just talked to Kansas State yesterday,” Burns said. They (Kansas) are #1 on my list right now.
After coming up for Super Jayhawk camp last month, Burns left Lawrence very impressed with the Jayhawks.
“It’s a great school,” Burns said. “I like the school and the offense. The offense is wide open like what I play in now in high school,” added Burns.
Burns also left impressed with the facilities at Kansas and the coaching staff.
“Nice, real nice,” Burns said of the Kansas football facilities. “Great coaches that really know what they’re talking about I learned a lot,” added Burns on the Kansas coaching staff.
Burns also left Lawrence satisfied with his performance during the field, especially his drill work.
“I thought I did pretty good. I ran a good 40 time and did good workouts in the shuttle,” said Burns. I ran somewhere around a 4.5 40,” added Burns.
With his ability on the field, Burns has certainly erased the thoughts that he is just too short to play at the Big 12 level. Burns has impressed at all camps and combines this summer and continues to work hard to ensure that he leaves no doubts once he hits the field this season.
