Missouri Star Luther Burden III to Skip Bowl Game, Enter 2025 NFL Draft

Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III has announced that he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft and skip the Tigers’ upcoming bowl game to prepare for the professional league. Burden, who is forgoing his final year of collegiate eligibility, is widely regarded as one of the top offensive prospects in the upcoming draft.

Since his freshman year, Burden has been a pivotal figure in Missouri’s offense and special teams. He was a significant recruiting win for the Tigers and coach Eli Drinkwitz during the 2022 recruiting cycle, ranked as the No. 14 prospect nationally and the No. 2 wide receiver in his class. Burden’s collegiate career includes 192 catches for 2,263 yards and 21 touchdowns, along with second-team CBS Sports All-America honors in 2023.

Burden is projected as a consensus first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. His agility and ability to make defenders miss in open space make him particularly suited for a slot role in the NFL. In a recent mock draft, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso projected Burden to be selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 13th overall pick.

The departure of Burden is significant for Missouri, which is also set to lose former Oklahoma transfer Theo Wease Jr. However, the Tigers have recruited well at the wide receiver position, including four-star prospect Courtney Crutchfield and potential 2025 recruit Donovan Olugbode. Missouri may also seek additional help through the transfer portal).