Advantages And Disadvantages Of Oren Burks

Oren Burks has shown to be a flexible team player while moving from linebacker to safety and then to the safety-linebacker hybrid star position in head coach Derek Mason's defense. As the team's interception leader from a year ago, he excelled in the position finishing third on the team with 59 tackles. Burks was second on the team with nine passes defended who earned Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win over Kentucky.
Burks made two outstanding plays in the victory over Kentucky in 2015. The first came at the 0:50 mark when cornerback Torren McGaster tips a pass to keep it inbounds before Burks dives on it for an interception. This kind of heads up play making ability is part of the reason he's been named to multiple awards watch lists and is a Wuerffel Trophy nominee. His high football IQ also translates to places off the field, like it did at SEC Media Days, where Burks earned praise from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and became the event's spokesman for sensitive social issues.
On the very next play, at the 1:05 mark in the same video, Burks reads the route perfectly and jumps it for a 30-yard interception return and his second interception of the night. He was a huge part of the multiple goal line stands and significantly contributed to the 21-17 win over the Wildcats.

The redshirt junior's arm span seems
It has been clear that coach Mason prefers size and length and Burks is another perfect example of why it can succeed in his defensive scheme. The Commodores ranked sixth in the nation in defensive third down conversion percentage, ahead of Alabama. Having multiple players capable of stopping the run and dropping in pass coverage opens more options for a