Aubrey Burks S West Virginia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Aubrey Burks S West Virginia
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 81.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 119.4 | |
| Tackling: |
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60% |
| Run Defense: |
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73% |
| Coverage: |
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81% |
| Zone: |
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74% |
| Man/Press: |
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80% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#234
Position rank:
#47
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| College Games: 32 College Snaps: 1621 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beau Brade - Maryland |
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89% |
| Cam Taylor-Britt - Nebraska |
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87% |
| Trey Taylor - Air Force |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Aubrey Burks, a hard-hitting safety out of West Virginia, has steadily climbed the ranks to become a formidable defensive presence in the Big 12. Hailing from Auburndale, Florida, Burks made an immediate impact in high school, racking up impressive stats despite limited playing time as a senior due to injury. His sophomore campaign at Auburndale High saw him tally 45 tackles and two interceptions, setting the stage for a breakout junior year with 63 tackles, six sacks, and 17 tackles for loss.Burks carried that momentum into his college career at West Virginia, where he quickly established himself as a key contributor in the secondary. After seeing action in six games as a freshman, Burks earned a starting role in his sophomore season, finishing as the team's second-leading tackler with 66 tackles, including 46 solo stops. His junior year solidified his status as a playmaker, starting all 12 games and earning All-Big 12 Conference Honorable-Mention honors.
Throughout his collegiate career, Burks has demonstrated versatility and a nose for the ball, accumulating 113 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 6 pass breakups over 29 games. His academic achievements, including multiple appearances on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll, speak to his dedication both on and off the field. Burks' combination of football IQ and physical play has caught the eye of NFL scouts looking for impact players in the secondary.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional zone coverage skills, demonstrating a keen understanding of route concepts and the ability to read quarterbacks' eyes effectively.
- Displays impressive closing speed when coming downhill, allowing him to make plays in both the run game and short passing game.
- Versatile defender capable of lining up at multiple spots in the secondary, providing valuable schematic flexibility for defensive coordinators.
- Shows good instincts and anticipation in coverage.
- Solid open-field tackler who takes good angles to the ball carrier, minimizing big play opportunities for opposing offenses.
- Demonstrates above-average athleticism for the safety position, with a 4.50 40-yard dash time that translates well to game speed.
- High football IQ and quick processing skills allow him to diagnose plays rapidly and communicate adjustments to teammates pre-snap.
- Proven durability and consistency, starting 23 games over his last two seasons and maintaining a high level of play throughout.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal size for the safety position at the NFL level, which may limit his effectiveness in certain matchups against bigger tight ends and receivers.
- Man-to-man coverage skills need refinement, as he can struggle when isolated against quicker slot receivers or more athletic tight ends.
- Tackling technique can be inconsistent at times, leading to missed opportunities in the open field and potential big plays for the offense.
- Could improve his ability to shed blocks when playing in the box, as he can sometimes get engulfed by larger offensive linemen.
- While a solid athlete, doesn't possess elite range or speed that would allow him to consistently make plays from sideline to sideline.
Scouting Report: Summary
Burks projects as a versatile safety with the potential to contribute in multiple defensive packages at the next level. His excellent zone coverage skills and football intelligence make him an attractive option for teams running zone-heavy schemes. While his lack of ideal size may limit his effectiveness as an in-the-box safety, his ability to read and react quickly should allow him to carve out a role in sub-packages early in his career.NFL coordinators will appreciate Burks' versatility and may look to utilize him in various roles, from deep safety to nickel corner in certain matchups. His experience and production against high-level competition in the Big 12 should translate well to the pro game, potentially allowing for a smooth transition to NFL speed and complexity.
As Burks continues to develop his man coverage skills and refine his tackling technique, he has the potential to grow into a reliable starter at the safety position. His combination of football IQ, coverage ability, and solid athleticism make him an intriguing day-two or early day-three prospect for teams looking to bolster their secondary depth with a player who can contribute immediately on special teams while developing into a more significant defensive role.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
How other scouting services rate Aubrey Burks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
263.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
65.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.