Ohio State '20 AZ DB (JR) - Denzel Burke ('21 Third Team All-B1G, '23 All-BIG First Team)

Denzel Burke is having a hell of a bounce back this spring.........

 

• Burke said this season is “personal” for him and he wants to “prove all the doubters wrong.” He added he wants to put “a lot of good stuff” on tape and contribute to his team.
• Burke said finishing the year strong after a slow start was “a validation” for him because he knows what he can do on the field. “I finished the second half of the season really strong and then wanted to have some momentum going into next season.”
• Burke said shoulder, hand and ankle injuries affected him last year. Said he feels healthy now and hopes to stay healthy all season
• Burke said he wants the cornerbacks to show that “BIA is back” and expects a big season from himself and his teammates.

 

Denzel Burke calls junior season ‘personal,’ wants to prove doubters wronghttps://t.co/4iEncIlnbd

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) March 31, 2023

 

Denzel Burke wants “to prove all the doubters wrong” this season, and his coaches and teammates have seen a different level of hunger from the Ohio State cornerback this offseason. https://t.co/w5xp3T1oEN

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 4, 2023

 

Denzel Burke with his second Silver Bullet of the Day for this spring

Burke has said this season is “personal” for him https://t.co/HXIKBex2P0

— The Victory Bell (@VictoryBellOSU) April 5, 2023

 

Buckeye Leafs: ‘Pro approach’ showing immediate results for Denzel Burkehttps://t.co/uAfYx6DS60

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) April 16, 2023

 

Denzel Burke was my pick for the Spring MVP on Defense.
What stood out for the Ohio State cornerback? Took a closer look at the "Pro Approach," his offseason workouts, strong practices -- and even just what it means for him to be healthy for the Buckeyes: https://t.co/yJvysIC9Jy

— Austin Ward (@AWardSports) May 4, 2023

 

• Walton said Denzel Burke “had a great spring.” He lauded how locked in Burke was and called him “our leader over there.”

 

𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤 🌰
@CoachTimWalton x @King10Burke pic.twitter.com/qLjnjuYUJp

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 23, 2023

 

CB DENZEL BURKE
“It’s a personal year” for Burke, whose slow start to the 2022 season made many question if his stellar performance as a true freshman may have been overblown. Burke heard all the noise throughout the year and is eager to “prove all the doubters wrong” with his caliber of play in 2023.

Every indication thus far this offseason is that Burke is on track to do just that. Ohio State’s defensive coaching staff began heavily lauding the Arizona product after the Buckeyes’ very first spring practice, and he didn’t slow down from there. Burke finished the spring schedule as one of Ohio State’s top performers and his increased intensity and work ethic was apparent to coaches and teammates alike.

“(He’s) competing way harder than usual. He’s in here at 5 a.m. watching film like before anybody is here, so that's what kind of separates him and makes him a great player,” OSU cornerback Jordan Hancock said. “He's definitely moving like a pro. Maybe he didn't do that last year. I feel like he kind of did last year, but he's taking it to a whole different level this year, and I feel like he's gonna go back on the map this year.”

Perhaps acclimating to a new defensive scheme and position coach was more difficult than expected for Burke last season, or maybe he didn’t enter his sophomore year with quite the level of focus that was necessary. Either way, Burke already began taking strides in the back half of the 2022 season and sounds like a man on a mission ahead of 2023.

 

Battle-tested Denzel Burke poised for breakout junior yearhttps://t.co/BFZSaAhcrS

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 20, 2023

 

Ohio State’s secondary is looking to get back to its “BIA” tradition this season, and Denzel Burke is confident “it’s gonna happen.” https://t.co/7wnjlsDXTn

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 26, 2023