Looking to give quarterback Joe Burrow's passing game some more downfield juice, the Bengals on Friday night selected Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round with the 80th pick.
A battle-tested big-play artist after four seasons as a starter in the SEC, the 6-foot, 196-pound Burton averaged 18 yards per catch playing for both Alabama and Georgia. He led national champion Georgia in yards receiving in 2021 before transferring to the Crimson Tide.
The man making the announcement in Detroit just happened to be T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Burton's trainer and the fifth-leading receiver in Bengals history with 507 catches. He was fired up about Burton joining three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, another draft prospect he worked with and ended up turning out brilliantly for the Bengals.
"When they handed me the card, I couldn't believe it," Houshmandzadeh said. "I face-timed (Burton) and we were both yelling."
Burton is in the mix for the third wide receiver spot with Chase and Higgins that includes Trenton Irwin as well as two draft picks from last year, fourth-rounder Charlie Jones and sixth-rounder Andrei Iosivas.
Here is Houshmandzadeh's scouting report:
"Explosive. Tough. Explosive. Fast. His route running has improved a ton. If he goes to Cincinnati and locks in the way he's supposed to, you're talking about explosiveness on the outside. Wow. Him and Ja'Marr. That's explosiveness at its finest."
Best college photos of the Bengals third round pick Jermaine Burton, WR from Alabama.
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) celebrates his first down catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Also pictured is Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74). (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton reacts after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton carries the ball in for a touchdown after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) grabs a touchdown reception against Texas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) celebrates after a win against Georgia after the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) runs into the end zone for a pass-reception touchdown against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) celebrates a touchdown by wide receiver Isaiah Bond (17) during the first half an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton runs past Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton catches a touchdown pass in front of Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) extends a pass reception as Auburn safety Zion Puckett (10) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) steps out of an attempted tackle by Texas A&M defensive back Bryce Anderson (1) before scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Georgia wide receiver Jermaine Burton (7) looks over his shoulder as he runs for a touchdown after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UAB, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Burton has been working on the outside with Houshmandzadeh. He's not sure if Burton can play the slot, but he knows the Bengals no longer have Tyler Boyd in there.
"Now that I see what he has in Cincinnati with him and Tee and Ja'Marr, we're going to start working the slot the next few weeks. Working on being savvy in space. That's next on the agenda," Houshmandzadeh said.
Burton was thrilled.
"It's honestly amazing having T.J. train me throughout these last few years even going into college. Working with him is honestly great," Burton said. "Just to know his history and his background with the game of football and his knowledge and see the way he thinks. The way he puts it into the drills and the way he talks to you and his terminology really helps me. We also developed a relationship to the point where we talk about other things like maturity and growth."
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