There is something to be said for the bond created by passion, because it Super-Glues the cracks caused by tremors of bad news. Thank goodness for Urban Meyer that Trey Burton was well put together when the storms did arrive last December.
Now Burton’s athletic talent has paid even more dividends, as he has been tapped as an all-purpose player with a big role in the offense at several positions. He was only listed by recruiting services as a three-star prospect, but now he’ll play ahead of some of the five-stars.
All of a sudden, Burton’s true freshmanship has become much more than an apprenticeship. As a wild card in the role of a tight end/fullback/Wildcat/quarterback, the 6-2, 222-pounder from Venice High School figures to be on the field quite a bit.
Although this might sound like a coincidence brought about by the injury to Jordan Reed, it wasn’t totally. In these few short months, Burton has earned his way on the field, undaunted by the challenge and relentless in the face of criticism by those outside who prematurely forecast him as a bust during his first week of spring ball. And he is one, physically tough hombre. His resilience, grit and versatility have turned out to be huge assets.
From what coaches are saying, Burton will line up all over the field—at tight end, H-back, quarterback and Wildcat. After Saturday’s scrimmage, offensive coordinator Steve Addazio said: “We’ve got Trey Burton popping around in a lot of different places right now.”
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One day, if this 2010 class ever makes its mark as a champion, they will look back and remember Burton as the kid who stepped up and made a difference before ever arriving on campus. But he may also have a lot to say about the future success of the team as a player, too.
By now, the oft-told story about how he helped hold together the 2010 recruiting class in late December last year has become quite familiar to Gator fans. Awakened from a long nap by his mom with the news that Urban Meyer was resigning, Burton began calling members of the recruiting class, encouraging them to hang tight.
He lit up a phone tree with Ian Silberman, Ronald Powell, Josh Shaw and the likes. All 25 stayed together for signing day, although two did defect later in fall practice. But Trey says his role was somewhat exaggerated.
“I wouldn’t say that I was the only reason — by no means would I say that,” Burton said a few weeks ago. “I think that everybody had a part in it. What I pretty much did is someone would give me info and I would spread it because I had everybody’s number. So I would text it and say, ‘This is what’s going on. I’m telling the truth, 100-percent truth on what’s going on.’”
He preached it with the fervor of an evangelical preacher and his sermon didn’t fall on deaf ears.
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Burton always loved the idea of being a Gator, beginning at age 6, and his sense of commitment has rubbed off on some of his young teammates.
He wasn’t even shaving yet when he first heard from Florida coaches, but even at the tender age of 15, Burton was 100 percent Gator. So he made a verbal commitment to attend UF.
For three years he had been pledged to Florida and almost every time they opened up Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Burton was there, proud to represent the Orange and Blue. Still, some people wondered about his value to the team amongst all these hot shots.
Who knew, though, he would become so valuable to Urban Meyer before he ever set foot on Florida Field?
Make it he will – and maybe right away, perhaps sharing the role with the injured Jordan Reed when he heals.
This sounds like in key spots on third or fourth down, Burton may often be the guy toting the rock, or getting the rock snapped to him, or passing the rock, or maybe even getting the rock handed off to him, or blocking for the guy who has the rock.
Trey will also tell you he built his house on a rock – a different kind.
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Like Tim Tebow, Burton is a devout Christian. Trey attended an Athletes in Action Christian Academy in Colorado over the summer with teammates Omarius Hines, Reed and Jelani Jenkins that he says changed his life. Among the things he had to do was run a half mile down a mountain with a big piece of wood on his back and then run back up the mountain with it.
Burton says that made him realize his weakness.
“It made you realize that you can’t do anything without the Lord, needing him to get your through everything in life,” Burton said. “It was an eye-opening experience.”
While we really can’t say Burton is playing the equivalent of the “Tebow position” when Tim was a freshman, it could be similar. And the comparisons in size are there: Burton is seven pounds lighter and one inch shorter. It’s beginning to look like perhaps his heart may be as big as Tebow’s as well. But let’s just stop right there with those absurd comparisons.
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Looking back on the day we finally got a good look and listen from him last April in spring ball, I remember thinking how mature this young man was for a somebody who was still supposed to be in high school.
When he stepped into a huddle of media folks for his first real interview, Burton was sporting a full beard, reminding us that he was no longer the fuzzy-faced recruit who had been manning his south end zone post every Saturday home game to cheer on his future team and bond with his future teammates. It was almost like the rites of passage.
The beard fit then and it seems to fit now—although we don’t really know yet if he’s still got it – because Trey Burton seems wise beyond his 18 years.
Q: That’s a nice beard you’ve got going. When did you start growing that?
A: “I’ve been trying to grow it for awhile. I can’t grow it right here (upper cheeks) or else it’d be pretty sweet. Coach Meyer complimented it when I first got here, so I just kept it going.”
Burton has already received some notice from his teammates, however.
“He’s getting a lot of respect around here from everybody,” Hines said. “He goes hard every practice and learns quickly.”
It’s tough to praise a true freshman for his character and leadership before he’s even taken a snap.
However, these tea leaves are easy to read: Trey Burton, the kid from Venice, is a winner.
Now all has to do is back it up on the field.