http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=34454Burris possesses a thickly built frame with good overall girth strapped through his upper and lower half. He displays a real explosive element to his game when asked to attack downhill. He has a natural first step with a real burst to his game and good straight-line speed in pursuit. He exhibits the range to finish in pursuit, wraps well on the ball carrier and finishes with a lot of anger to his game. Burris plays the game the way it's supposed to be played inside. He works hard, displays good instincts with enough power/short area quickness to fend off blocks inside and scratch his way toward the ball carrier. He plays with good leverage inside when taking on blocks, understands angles, gets his shoulder properly aligned with leverage when taking on full backs in the hole and exhibits the balance to stack, shed and accelerate toward the ball carrier. Now, he is a bit linear of an athlete who will struggle to breakdown quickly in space. But once he collects himself, he really bursts out of his breaks and extends his arms well vs. offensive lineman at the second level. He possesses the natural power to stack, though he is a bit inconsistent shedding vs. longer lineman, lacking the type of fluidity to quickly disengage if he doesn't keep himself clean initially.
Burris is more of a blitzer off the edge on passing downs. I don't want to call him a natural pass rusher, but he does have the ability to drop his pad level and gain leverage when trying to reach the edge and does exhibit an understanding of using his hands to gain leverage and then shed quickly on contact. He recorded 9.5 sacks as a junior and he can routinely create pressure off the edge as an extra rush guy. He's a bit tight hipped in coverage; he gets only average depth in his drop and needs to chop his feet in order to collect himself out of his breaks when changing directions. But, Burris does a nice job keeping his feet under him and can accelerate quickly when he regains his footing. He displays solid instincts in the pass game and is routinely around the football. He doesn't have a ton of experience turning and running with receivers down the field, but has the straight-line speed to do so. Plays like a 4.5 guy.
Impression: A nasty, hard working football player who displays good instincts, a great motor and a lot of explosive elements to his game. At worst, Burris is a stud special teams guy with the ability to start at the next level. He can play either inside or out as well.
Production 2 "2007: San Diego State redshirted Burris. 2008: (12/0) - 19-1.5-0 2009: (12/12) - 58-6-1.5 2010: (13/13) - 80-20-9.5 2011: (13/13) - 72-19-8 Career: 4FF-1PBU-3FR"
Height-Weight-Speed 3 Average blend of height and weight. Did not run at the combine but ran at pro day. Possesses big hands (9 7/8') but arm length is less than ideal (31 7/8').
Durability 3 "Right hamstring injury prevented him from running at the combine. However, appeared in every game over the past four seasons and started every game over the past three seasons. "
Intangibles 1 "2011 team captain and three-year starter. Named team's Defensive Player of the Year following the 2011 season. Named team's Co-Defensive Player of the Year following the 2010 season. Named Scout Team Player of the Year following the 2007 season. Father played football at Oregon State. Excellent student that won President's Award for High Academic Achievement in 2011, won team's Scholar Athlete Award in 2010 and 2011 and is a four-time member of Mountain West All-Academic team. "
Instincts/Recognition 3 "Reads keys and flashes the ability to beat blockers to the point. Flashes above-average instincts and the ability to find the ball carrier when sifting through traffic between the tackles. Sniffs out screens. However, has some problems locating and tracking the ball. Vulnerable to play-action, misdirection and cutbacks. Inconsistent gap discipline. "
Take-on Skills 4 "Uncoils on lead blockers and flashes the ability to blow them up in the backfield. (4:48 4th QTR 2011 Michigan game) Excellent upper-body strength (benched 225 31 times at the combine) and flashes powerful punch that can keep bigger blockers off frame. Can take on blocks with either shoulder. Isn't afraid to sacrifice body to make play. However, struggles when teams run at him and even gets put on roller skates at times. Thin hips and doesn't anchor well when offensive linemen are able to lock on. While tough takes the easy way out and tries to run around offensive linemen a little too much. "
Range vs. Run 2 Range is a notch below elite. Takes sound pursuit angles for the most part and flashes the ability to chase backs down from behind. Excellent effort and almost always around the ball at the end of the play. Flashes above-average balance sifting through traffic but offensive linemen can knock him off course with a strong punch.
Tackling 2 "Doesn't always break down or wrap low, raising concerns about ability to get bigger ball carrier to the ground. However, almost always finds a way to get the job done. Effective drag down tackler who doesn't let ball carriers slip out of grasp once latched on. Average body control and can make plays in space. "
3rd Down Capabilities 2 "Some tightness in hips and there are concerns about ability to match up with quicker backs. Gives too much of a cushion and route recognition skills appear just average. However, gets to depth and reads quarterback in underneath zone. Has the potential to develop into a playmaker in coverage. Big hands (9 7/8) and elevates well (37 5/8 VJ) but shows just average ball skills at this point. Ball can bounce off hands. While flashed the ability to adjust to passes thrown behind him also had problems fielding the ball cleanly at the combine. Shows good burst and the ability to dip inside shoulder rushing off the edge. Sets up blockers with hesitation and can locate seams in protection. However, not a polished counter puncher at this point. "
