Inside the Rise of Drew Burress

When you talk about competitors in college baseball, few embody the term quite like Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress.

He’s been around the game since he could walk, the son of a travel ball coach, a kid who grew up in dugouts, shagging balls, and watching players chase the dream he now lives.

“My dad’s been big in the travel baseball world,” Burress said. “I was at tournaments when I was two or three years old, being the bat boy, hanging around the dugout. I’ve always been around baseball, and I can’t imagine it any other way.”

That early exposure built a foundation of confidence and competitiveness that’s carried him through every level of the game.

He’s been doubted plenty, whether it was scouts overlooking him in the draft out of high school or critics fixating on his size, but Burress has never been one to shy away from a challenge.

“I’ve always outplayed everybody, I’ve always out-hit everybody, and I’m still doing it,” he said. “Whether you’re 5-foot-9 or 6-foot-2, it’s about who’s winning baseball games, and I’ve always done that.”

Betting on Himself

Coming out of high school, Burress had the kind of profile that attracts pro attention. But when the draft came around, he didn’t get the opportunity that matched his value.

So instead of signing, he bet on himself, choosing Georgia Tech, a decision he calls “one of the best of my life.”

“Coach Ramsey was a big part of that,” Burress said of now-head coach James Ramsey, who recently took over the program after Danny Hall’s legendary run. “Georgia Tech’s always been elite at producing hitters and big leaguers, and it was close to home. Everything just fit.”

Since arriving in Atlanta, Burress has done nothing but hit. From the moment he stepped on campus, he became a lineup mainstay, the kind of player opposing pitchers game plan around and teammates rally behind.

He credits that development to the coaching staff’s experience and approach.

“It’s hard to say there’s a more knowledgeable staff in the country,” Burress said. “Between Coach Hall, Coach Ramsey, and Coach Stricklin, you’re learning from guys who have done it at every level.”

Leading the Right Way

Burress doesn’t just lead with production; he leads by example. As a freshman, he was surrounded by fifth-year players and transfers who showed him what a winning culture looked like.

“College baseball’s hard as a freshman,” he said. “I learned a lot from those older guys about what it meant to win. Now, I try to lead in my own way, push the guys around me, and let them push me right back.”

This year’s Georgia Tech roster gives him plenty of reason to believe big things are coming.
Between key returners and transfer additions, the Yellow Jackets are loaded with talent and experience.

“When Coach Ramsey took over, he asked what kind of team we wanted to be,” Burress said. “We’ve got so many guys who are winners and hard workers. With the lineup we’ll have this year, it’s gonna be hard to pitch around anyone.”

Stars, Stripes, and Perspective

Burress spent part of his summer representing Team USA, traveling to Japan and squaring off against some of the best amateur talent in the world.

“It means a lot to wear USA on your chest,” he said. “They play the game differently, but it’s still baseball. You learn so much just hearing how other guys think about hitting, approach, and competing.”

That experience, surrounded by future pros, reinforced what Burress already believed: He belongs among the best.

Fueling the Fire

If there’s one theme that keeps coming up with Burress, it’s motivation. Georgia Tech won 20 ACC games last season and somehow didn’t host a regional.

“We were the first team to ever not host after doing that,” he said. “It’s easy to say we got looked over, but that’s just more fuel. This year, we’ll win 24 and make sure it’s not up for debate.”

That edge has defined his career, and it’s part of what makes him such a dangerous player heading into his junior season and the 2026 MLB Draft cycle.

“The draft process can be stressful,” he admitted. “In high school, I put a lot of pressure on myself, but now I’m focused on winning. It’s time to get Georgia Tech back to Omaha.”

Burress has accomplished just about everything you can in two college seasons: All-American honors, Team USA, record-breaking power. Still, he knows there’s one more goal left to check off.

“It’s been too long since Georgia Tech’s been to Omaha,” he said. “It’s time we get back there — and I don’t plan on it going any other way.”

Conclusion

For Drew Burress, the game has always been personal. From growing up in dugouts to proving himself on college baseball’s biggest stages, he’s never lost that edge, or the joy that comes with competing.

As he heads into another season at Georgia Tech, his message is simple: He’s not done yet. He’s not chasing headlines or draft hype. He’s chasing something bigger: a trip to Omaha that would cement everything he and his teammates have worked for.