ESPN Scout:
Size-Strength-Speed
Good size safety with a leaner frame but has some length and pop to his body. Wiry strong. Pursues fast and covers a lot of ground showing good range and closing speed.
Instincts/Recognition
Great eyes and aware. QB of the defense who gets in position and then gets a great jump off the snap. Very instinctive with a nose for the ball. Anticipates at a high level. Sound his reads, particularly in zone schemes, passing on and jumping targets in and out of his zone
Coverage Skills
A productive zone coverage defender; anticipates and times his breaks extremely well. A strong closer with good plant and drive ability. Transitions cleanly and closes with explosion out of his pedal which allows him to arrive with the ball. Limits yards after the catch. Breaks on tops of routes with good timing and range. Will go up and defend the 50/50 ball like a receiver showing good leaping, ball skills and athleticism. Tools to develop in man schemes but needs to continue working on technique.
Run Support
A fast pursuing, aggressive safety who takes smart, direct angles to the ball and comes up quickly for run support. Needs to become more consistent as a wrap tackler but flashes the ability the drive through and make the big collision.
Bottom Line
Burrell is a very productive and instinctive safety who is fast and direct in his pursuit of the football on both run and pass support. Big upside as he continues to refine his footwork and gets bigger and stronger.
Underclassman Eval
STRENGTHS: Burrell is a speedy safety who has the range to make plays in the box or downfield. Is very good at diagnosing run vs. pass and when he reads run, he comes downhill quickly and will finish ball carriers with a solid wrap tackle. Does a good job of understanding route combinations and where the quarterback wants to go. ... AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Currently plays in a zone heavy defense so he will need to develop his man-to-man coverage skills. Has a solid physical build but can add weight/strength to his frame. ... BOTTOM LINE: Burrell has the skill and ability to be a contributor at the next level. If he can develop his space defense skills then he should become a more productive player.
Size-Strength-Speed
Good size safety with a leaner frame but has some length and pop to his body. Wiry strong. Pursues fast and covers a lot of ground showing good range and closing speed.
Instincts/Recognition
Great eyes and aware. QB of the defense who gets in position and then gets a great jump off the snap. Very instinctive with a nose for the ball. Anticipates at a high level. Sound his reads, particularly in zone schemes, passing on and jumping targets in and out of his zone
Coverage Skills
A productive zone coverage defender; anticipates and times his breaks extremely well. A strong closer with good plant and drive ability. Transitions cleanly and closes with explosion out of his pedal which allows him to arrive with the ball. Limits yards after the catch. Breaks on tops of routes with good timing and range. Will go up and defend the 50/50 ball like a receiver showing good leaping, ball skills and athleticism. Tools to develop in man schemes but needs to continue working on technique.
Run Support
A fast pursuing, aggressive safety who takes smart, direct angles to the ball and comes up quickly for run support. Needs to become more consistent as a wrap tackler but flashes the ability the drive through and make the big collision.
Bottom Line
Burrell is a very productive and instinctive safety who is fast and direct in his pursuit of the football on both run and pass support. Big upside as he continues to refine his footwork and gets bigger and stronger.
Underclassman Eval
STRENGTHS: Burrell is a speedy safety who has the range to make plays in the box or downfield. Is very good at diagnosing run vs. pass and when he reads run, he comes downhill quickly and will finish ball carriers with a solid wrap tackle. Does a good job of understanding route combinations and where the quarterback wants to go. ... AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Currently plays in a zone heavy defense so he will need to develop his man-to-man coverage skills. Has a solid physical build but can add weight/strength to his frame. ... BOTTOM LINE: Burrell has the skill and ability to be a contributor at the next level. If he can develop his space defense skills then he should become a more productive player.
