Interview: Arkansas All-State 2023 WR DeAndra Burns Eyeing Visits and College Camps
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With speed to burn stretching defenses vertically and wheels on the inside creating mismatches with nickels and linebackers, DeAndra Burns is a nightmare draw for 6A Arkansas squads. The 5-9, 155-pound, target lit up teams for El Dorado High School in 2020 hauling in 56 passes for 755 yards with nine scores and took back seven kicks for 232 yards with two addition touchdowns while also returning five punts for 74 yards.
Along the recruiting trail, the Class of 2023 All-State performer is starting to see his stock rise. Offers have been dropped by Arkansas and Pitt with other D-I programs now catching on to his game-changing abilities.
In an RNG first-look interview, Burns takes us inside his offseason workouts and the early goings of his recruiting process.
Interview
DeAndra, you made a lot of teams look silly last year with your play at receiver and on special teams. Looking ahead to the 2021 season, what goals have you set to build upon last year’s success?
Last year I had two kick returns for touchdowns, I want five or six this year. I want to improve my yard per receptions and I want 1,200 receiving yards this year. I have big goals and big dreams.
Your athleticism stands out, especially when you go up for a 50-50 ball. Do you play any other sports for El Dorado?
Track
Which events do you compete in with track?
The 100, 200, 400, and long jump.
What were your top times and/or personal records?
My PR is 21.96 in the 200 and I ran a 49.06 in the 400; both were at state.
Nice. Where did those times place you in state?
I came in second in the 100 running a 10.8 and I came in second in the 400 and 200. That guy from Parkview, he gave me a run for my money.
What is your PR in the long jump?
22.3.
All very impressive. Back to football, you have a couple of different releases off the line; how many do you have and which new ones are you working on this offseason?
I am working on my moves off the line. I know I can beat the DB with speed, but that will not always be the case. You have to be physical and use your hands.
What other parts to your game are you fine-tuning this spring and summer?
My route running and hands. Working on my hands, I use tennis balls. If you can catch a tennis ball you can catch a football. I want my routes to be different; I put a move in like I am running a post or a corner.
Looking to the 2021 season, where all will we see you on the field?
On special teams, at kick and punt returner. In the Searcy game, they put me at safety playing deep with nothing getting past me; I may play more safety this year.
Are the coaches moving you around on offense?
Yes, sir. Sometimes on the outside, some inside, some at tight end and running back. We have the same personnel, but the formation call has us switching positions.
That’ll be cool, and a lot of fun to see you creating mismatches at these other positions. This summer, are you going to any college camps?
Yes, sir. I am going to one on Friday, the SMU camp in Dallas. My parents will start taking me to camps from there.
Which other college camps are you looking at this summer?
I know we are going to Arkansas; they really want me up there. One of the coaches from Pitt really wants me up there. Vandy has invited me to a camp and so has Louisville, Alabama, Oklahoma State, and Auburn.
Have you been to any national camps yet?
Yes, I went to the Rivals camp in Indianapolis.
How did that event turn out for you?
It went well. My 40 was a 4.6, my vertical was a 29, my L-Drill was a 7.1, my shuffle was a 4.1, and my broad jump was a 131.
Nice. Back in December you received an offer from the Hogs, how did the Arkansas coaching staff notify you that they want you to be a Razorback?
Through my coach. Coach (Steven) Jones (head coach) told them about me. They watched my highlights, then they reached out and offered me.
What did they say to you when notifying you of the offer?
Coach (Sam) Pittman (head coach) asked how I was doing; I was nervous. He said “that’s good, and we are letting you know we are offering you a scholarship from the University of Arkansas.” That’s when all the coaches got happy.
Sweet. And you’ve picked up another offer since then. Which school has offered?
Pitt.
From what you know, which programs are showing interest but have not offered yet?
FSU for sure. I call them and we talk. They are showing a lot of interest. Every Tuesday when we talk, they ask me questions. South Dakota State is also showing interest.
Are there any recruiting visits you may take this summer?
I know I will visit Arkansas and Pitt, and I might go to Louisiana Tech, Auburn, and Louisville.
DeAndra, I enjoyed the time with you today. I am looking forward to hearing how the camps and visits went for you this summer.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
Photo credit: Southern Sass Photography/Burns family; DeAndra Burns