JeQuan Burton: An Underdog Story

JeQuan Burton: The Underdog Story

If you are a true South Florida sports homer and you have not heard the name “JeQuan Burton” in the past year; you probably have heard it by now. JeQuan Burton’s story to the NFL has been nothing short of an inspiration to those who have the odds stacked against them. Despite being underrecruited and considered undersized by NFL standards, JeQuan managed to spend time on a roster that has one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL. 

JeQuan played his high school ball at Jones High School, where he broke onto the Florida sports scene. He hauled in over 900 receiving yards his junior and senior years combined, and solidified himself as a Division I worthy student-athlete. Multiple media outlets and websites including FloridaHSFootball.com called him a top player in the Central Florida region. He received offers from Marshall, Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman, Southern Illinois, and UT Martin. 

NCAA D I

Of his five offers, JeQuan decided to take his talents to Southern Illinois. At Southern Illinois, JeQuan was a jack of all trades football player. Anything asked of him he would do, he made an impact as a receiver, as a rusher, and even on special teams, where he primarily made an impact. JeQuan made his mark in the return game on special teams, notably with his 339 kick return yards. In the rushing game he had 105 yards, and in the passing game he had 139 yards. 

Following JeQuan’s time at Southern Illinois, COVID-19 rolled around. He decided to spend a year at the junior college route at Iowa Central. It was there that the Florida Atlantic coaching staff looked at him and offered him a roster spot. From there, that is where JeQuan Burton started playing his best football. It all started with his redshirt sophomore year, where he earned the respect of former FAU head coach Willie Taggart and offensive staff. 

FAU

It was through his work ethic and his untapped athleticism in practice where he earned his reps and playing time. JeQuan cashed in on his opportunity and recorded a 483 yard and three TD season. The following year he was even better, both his receiving yard numbers and TD numbers improved with 517 and four. 

By his redshirt senior season, JeQuan was primed for a huge season. With new head coach Tom Herman, new offensive coordinator Charlie Frye, and former Texas/Nebraska QB Casey Thompson all coming into town, the stage was set. JeQuan was extremely impressive in his first start in the Tom Herman era at FAU. 

JeQuan gave FAU a three score lead in the 1st half on the Monmouth Hawks with a touchdown reception in the red zone from Casey Thompson. Later in the game JeQuan showed off his athleticism with a 35 yard touchdown reception making multiple Monmouth defenders miss. JeQuan ran a hitch route to perfection, he broke the tackle from the initial defender, made another man miss, and then hit the jets to the end zone. It was a great season debut for JeQuan and the Owls, but it was the following week’s game where trouble struck.  

Freaks List

In the following week vs Ohio, on FAU’s very first offensive snap JeQuan was targeted on a RPO pass and got hit hard in the head and neck area. JeQuan looked to have initially caught the ball, but the hit from the defender was so hard the defense was able to rip the ball out of JeQuan’s hands for an interception. JeQuan was down for a while, and it looked like a scary scene at FAU stadium. Thankfully, JeQuan was able to bounce back from the injury and get back for their week four matchup against Illinois. Burton played the rest of his redshirt senior season, and finished with 277 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 

While his production did not pop off the stat sheet during his time in college, NFL teams took notice of his athletic measurables. JeQuan made Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” a list for college football players with rare athletic ability, twice. One of those NFL teams who took notice of JeQuan’s athleticism was the South Florida local Miami Dolphins. 

Miami Dolphins

JeQuan getting signed following the 2024 NFL draft as an undrafted free agent seemed like a no-brainer, a wide receiver with blazing speed who has shown run after the catch ability is right up Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s alley. After all, the Miami Dolphins only have the fastest group of offensive weaponry of all time. JeQuan fits this mold that Mike McDaniel and Dolphins general manager Chris Grier are so obsessed with to a tee.

JeQuan spent his time this summer practicing with the Miami Dolphins. With Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham Jr all missing practice time due to injuries/vet rest JeQuan was able to showcase his ability on a greater stage. 

JeQuan was not targeted much in the 3 preseason games he appeared in, but he made the most of his opportunities when called on. One highlight of his preseason came in the second preseason game against the Washington Commanders. In the third quarter, Dolphins running back Chris Brooks came down with an injury. 

Brooks was the last running back the Dolphins planned to use that game, so JeQuan stepped up to the challenge and took over as the running back for the remainder of the game. JeQuan showcased his football IQ and versatility, playing out of position in an extremely complex Mike McDaniel offense. He finished the game with a reception, he was targeted out of the backfield multiple times but ultimately Mike White struggled to connect with him. 

The Best is Yet To Come

JeQuan finished the preseason with two receptions for five yards, and was ultimately waived by Miami on Tuesday (deadline cut day). The good news is JeQuan is still only 24 years old and has a lot of football left in him. He also proved how successful someone could be as an underdog. There are many more chapters left to write in the book of JeQuan Burton, and it’s very possible his best football is yet to come.