After the NFL Combine, the former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver is still surprisingly undervalued among 2025 NFL Draft candidates.
The NFL Combine, a highly anticipated event in the lead-up to the NFL Draft, provides a golden opportunity for draft prospects to showcase their athleticism, skills, and readiness for the next level of competition. For years, Alabama’s football program has been a pipeline to the NFL, producing elite-level talent that is well-represented across the league. In 2025, one player who generated significant buzz at the NFL Combine was former Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver, Jermaine Burton. Despite a strong performance at the Combine, Burton remains surprisingly undervalued in comparison to his peers in the upcoming draft.
Burton is a unique case, given his pedigree, skill set, and experience at one of the most prominent college football programs in the country. He arrived at Alabama as a highly touted recruit, and throughout his college career, he flashed elite playmaking ability, particularly during key games for the Crimson Tide. However, despite these accomplishments, Burton has largely flown under the radar in the eyes of many NFL scouts, analysts, and general managers. This article will dive into why Burton remains undervalued, why he still holds significant potential, and what the future may hold for him as he looks toward the NFL Draft.
Jermaine Burton’s College Career: The Foundation of His NFL Dreams
Before diving into the specifics of Burton’s draft prospects and NFL Combine performance, it’s essential to understand his college career and why his abilities are deserving of more attention. Burton’s journey to Alabama began as a highly coveted recruit out of Calabasas, California, where he starred at Calabasas High School. His combination of size, speed, and exceptional route-running ability made him a standout prospect from the outset.
Burton began his college career at the University of Georgia, where he quickly made an impact. During his two seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs, he showed flashes of brilliance as a reliable receiver and a deep threat. In 2022, Burton made the decision to transfer to Alabama, where he was hoping to take his game to the next level with the benefit of head coach Nick Saban’s legendary program and quarterback Bryce Young, who would go on to be the 2023 NFL Draft’s first overall pick.
At Alabama, Burton had solid but somewhat inconsistent seasons in terms of production. In 2023, he caught 50 passes for 797 yards and 6 touchdowns, demonstrating that he had the ability to produce when called upon but still struggled with consistency at times. His performance was somewhat overshadowed by Ja’Corey Brooks, Isaiah Bond, and the running game, but Burton was still a key part of Alabama’s offensive attack, particularly in games that required big plays from the receiving corps.
One of Burton’s most notable performances came in the 2023 SEC Championship Game, where he played a pivotal role in Alabama’s victory over Georgia, securing critical receptions and showcasing his ability to step up in big moments. Despite this, Burton’s overall career at Alabama was a bit uneven, and while he had impressive games, he never seemed to fully take over as the go-to wide receiver, which has contributed to the mixed perception of his value as an NFL prospect.
NFL Combine Performance: Proving His Worth
While Burton’s college career may have been marked by some inconsistency, the NFL Combine was where he truly had an opportunity to show scouts what he was capable of. The Combine, which evaluates players in a series of drills including the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, bench press, and 3-cone drill, is often a key event in determining where players are ranked in the draft.
Burton excelled in the Combine, posting impressive numbers that showcased his athleticism, speed, and explosiveness. His 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds was a standout performance, showcasing the type of top-tier speed that makes him a threat at the next level. His vertical jump of 37 inches displayed the explosiveness and leaping ability that would make him a viable deep threat in the NFL, while his 3-cone drill time of 6.85 seconds highlighted his quickness and agility in short-area movements.
Additionally, Burton’s performance in drills like the three-cone drill and shuttle drill revealed his ability to make quick, sharp cuts that would make him a dangerous weapon in route-running. Despite a relatively average college production, Burton’s Combine performance was a reminder that he possesses elite athletic traits that translate well to the NFL.
While his numbers certainly turned heads, the story surrounding Burton after the Combine remains perplexing. Despite his solid performance and high potential, many draft analysts have placed him outside of the top-tier wide receivers for the 2025 NFL Draft, often ranking him below other receivers from high-profile programs. This brings up the question: Why is Burton, despite his evident talent and athleticism, still undervalued?
Why Jermaine Burton Is Undervalued
There are several factors that contribute to Burton’s undervaluation in the 2025 NFL Draft class. These factors range from perceptions of his college production, to the evolving nature of the NFL draft process, and even the increasing competition at the wide receiver position.
- Inconsistent College Production
One of the primary reasons that Burton is often undervalued as a draft prospect is his inconsistent college production. While he had flashes of brilliance at Alabama, he never truly cemented himself as the team’s alpha receiver, which raised concerns about his ability to perform as a true No. 1 option in the NFL. Players like Ja’Corey Brooks and Isaiah Bond often took on a larger role in the offense, while Burton occasionally struggled with drops and separation from defenders. While his numbers were solid, they didn’t match up to the dominant performances put up by other top wide receiver prospects from SEC programs in recent years.
- High Competition at the Wide Receiver Position
The 2025 NFL Draft class is exceptionally deep at the wide receiver position. The league is full of elite, next-generation talent, and the competition to stand out has only gotten fiercer in recent years. Many analysts believe that Burton’s skill set is somewhat overshadowed by the likes of other highly touted wide receivers from programs such as Ohio State, USC, and LSU. While Burton certainly has the talent to be a top-tier receiver, his Combine performance may have been overshadowed by the stellar performances of players from other schools.
- The Impact of Other SEC Teams
Even though Burton transferred from Georgia to Alabama, he was playing in an era where the SEC is loaded with elite talent, especially at the wide receiver position. Teams like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee have been producing some of the most elite wide receivers in college football in recent years, and Burton may have been somewhat overlooked due to the depth of talent in the SEC. While Burton has displayed versatility and the ability to perform at the highest level, it’s tough for him to stand out when the competition is so intense.
- NFL Evaluation Bias
Sometimes, NFL evaluators are inclined to favor players who fit the mold of what’s currently popular in the league, whether that be physically gifted tall wide receivers, elite route-runners, or players with specific systems tailored to the NFL. Burton’s blend of speed, size, and versatility may not fit the prototypical mold of the top-tier wide receiver. Moreover, his college inconsistencies might have left scouts cautious about his NFL transition. Evaluators may be more inclined to prioritize players who have been consistently dominant in college or have the flashy numbers to back it up.
What Jermaine Burton Offers the NFL
Despite his undervaluation, Jermaine Burton still presents a very intriguing option for any NFL team looking to bolster their wide receiver corps. His combination of speed, agility, and route-running precision gives him a solid foundation to succeed at the next level. What’s more, Burton’s ability to play in multiple roles—from the slot to the outside—makes him an attractive option for an NFL offense that’s looking to exploit mismatches.
Burton has the potential to be a dangerous deep threat, capable of stretching defenses and making big plays down the field. His top-end speed, combined with his quickness and leaping ability, makes him a player who can win on the outside and open up the field for other pass-catchers. His work ethic and the experience he gained playing under Nick Saban at Alabama also should not be overlooked—Saban’s ability to develop wide receivers and his experience coaching future NFL stars will only serve to help Burton in his transition to the pros.
The Path Forward: Why Burton’s Value Will Rise
While Jermaine Burton may be undervalued right now, he has the potential to prove his worth once he lands on an NFL roster. He may not be a top-10 pick, but his abilities and Combine performance make him an enticing option for teams looking for a reliable and explosive weapon on the outside.
Given the right situation and development, Burton could easily emerge as a key contributor for an NFL team. His combination of athleticism, college pedigree, and versatility makes him a player worth investing in. As the draft process continues to evolve and teams evaluate his tape and performance in individual workouts, Burton’s stock may rise, and he could very well become one of the steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.
While many are overlooking him, Jermaine Burton’s talent is undeniable. It’s only a matter of time before the NFL begins to take notice.
