Kevin Jiraj, USA TODAY SPORTS

NC State Final Four Hero DJ Burns Has 'Zero' Interest in NFL Future

Originally posted on Men's Journal
By Geoff Magliocchetti | Last updated 4/5/24

DJ Burns will be playing this Saturday but don't expect high-profile weekend action to become a regular thing.

Burns, the 6-9, 275.-lb. interior threat for North Carolina State's men's basketball team, is the toast of the sports world for his efforts during the ongoing NCAA Tournament , helping guide the 11th-seeded Wolfpack to this weekend's Final Four in Phoenix. Some, including Carolina Panthers blocker and fellow NC State alum Ikem Ekwonu, have pegged Burns as a potential multi-sport star due to his size.

"I think it's definitely not out of the scope of his talents, you know, putting his hand in the dirt," Ekwonu said, per Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site. "But I think he'd be a really good tight end. I feel like guys are kind of limiting him because of his size, but he got the kind of footwork where he could play anything."

But the big man showed no interest in following in the footsteps of Tony Gonzalez and Julius Peppers as he spoke in anticipation of this weekend's games: according to the Associated Press, Burns said he had "zero" thoughts about moving from the hardwood to the gridiron.

The idea of Burns donning a Wolfpack helmet was further brushed off by NC State head coach Kevin Keatts, who said that his forward's off-the-court personality would stifle any sort of NFL longevity.

"No way he's going to play football," Keatts said in the AP report. "I mean, listen, he's got a great touch. He's not that bully that you guys think. You spend some time with him? He's a teddy bear off the court."

Burns will appear on an NFL playing surface, at least temporarily: the Wolfpack will face the top-seeded Purdue Boilermakers at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, on Saturday (6:09 p.m. ET, TBS).

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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