The NC State Wolfpack are the big Cinderella team during this season’s NCAA Tournament, making it to the Final Four as an 11-seed that probably wouldn’t have made the Tournament had they not won the ACC Tournament. It’s a team that has been highlighted by its big man, DJ Burns.
Burns has become a bit of a tournament darling among fans. That is because he’s played well, and also because he’s done it in the body of an NFL offensive line.
NFL teams have noticed too. Now, there are multiple reports that several NFL teams have some kind of interest in DJ Burns moving forward.
“Spoke to and texted multiple scouts/GMs about NC State big man DJ Burns as an NFL OT prospect over the last 24 hours,” Peter Schrager posted. “He is listed at 6’9, but probably is 6’7. A+ footwork. Would get big turnout & potentially $ if he participated in a Pro Day/workout the week after the Final 4.”
Jim Nagy, the director of the Senior Bowl, added to that, explaining that there is real NFL interest in the big man.
“Got texts from a GM, Ass’t GM, and college director within an hour of posting this on Friday night. NFL interest in D.J. Burns is a real thing,” Nagy posted.
If Burns were to try and transition to the NFL, like these reports suggest, he wouldn’t be the first basketball player to make that move. Tight end Antonio Gates, famously, was a college basketball player. He gained notoriety when he helped lead Kent State to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament as a Cinderella.
Other big NFL names who played basketball in college include Jimmy Graham, Donovan McNabb, Antwaan Randle El, Julius Peppers, and Tony Gonzalez among several notable players.
For now, though, DJ Burns and NC State are still alive in the NCAA Tournament, with an upcoming Final Four game against Purdue, where Burns is going to need to battle one of the college game’s best players in Zach Edey. That matchup and getting NC State to the national championship game is going to be Burns’ focus for now and not a possible NFL future.
DJ Burns on N.C. State catching fire to make Final Four run
Following NC State’s Elite Eight win, DJ Burns broke down how NC State caught fire to make their run to the Final Four.
“I’ll say like I’ve been saying the whole tournament. When I stop having fun with basketball, I’ll stop playing. I’m very thankful to be here. Our guys behind us were ready,” Burns said.
“There’s just been a total switch in our commitment. Nobody’s being late to things. Nobody’s being a problem on the court. Everybody’s come together. I don’t know what it is, but everybody’s handling it on-and off the court quite well.”
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