East St. Louis wide receiver Luther Burden III commits to the University of Missouri

Burden picked Mizzou over Alabama and Georgia.
STORY:
The top wide receiver recruit in the country is officially heading to the University of Missouri. East St. Louis senior Luther Burden III committed to the Tigers on Tuesday.
Burden made the announcement at the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club in St. Louis.
"It's a blessing. Being from St. Louis and in this rough city playing... This is where I grew up basically playing here. This is where I built my legacy so I just came back to support and uplift the community," Burden said.
"I've been working since I was eight years old. I remember being out there playing sandlot. Playing football with no equipment just having fun. But I worked hard and I'm ready."
Burden picked Missouri over SEC powerhouses Georgia and Alabama and wants other St. Louis area recruits to follow in his footsteps and stay close to home at Mizzou.
"Big recruits in St. Louis go to places like the Georgias and Alabamas... I just want to start a trend here in St. Louis for the younger people with talent... to stay home and take our talents to Missouri," Burden said.
Burden is the first 5-star recruit for Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, who has put together one of the best recruiting classes in Mizzou history in the class of 2022.
Burden said his relationship with Drinkwitz was a key factor in what pushed Missouri to the top of his list.
"I believe in him rebuilding and recruiting St. Louis. We gonna rebuild this thing," Burden said.
"It's close to home. The relationship I have with coach Drink is ridiculous. We built a great bond. We really worked on it for real. We really got real close. At the beginning of the year when transferred over to East St. Louis he was there with me each and every step of the way."
Since taking over at Missouri, Drinkwitz has focused on recruiting St. Louis area kids and has built a foothold in the region in his past two classes.
Drinkwitz and Mizzou fans are hoping the addition of Burden could be the spark that really lights the St. Louis-to-Columbia fire.
Some of Burden's future Mizzou teammates were there to support him Tuesday, and echo the St. Louis-to-Columbia sentiment.
"I've been playing against Luther since second grade and he's definitely one of the best competitors I've ever played against. He's just been a beast always and I knew if he came to Mizzou it'd be huge for the program and change around everything for Mizzou and the St. Louis area. So I'm really excited for him to come," SLUH senior defensive back and Mizzou commit Isaac Thompson said.
"As long as we keep our players here, we're going to be better than everybody else. That's how I feel. Everybody can go to different places, everybody can do other stuff, but the Lou is the best place to come out of. We're the best spot. You're coming from nothing and you're coming up. You can't get knocked back down unless you fall in the trap. Other than that you're going up," Parkway West wide receiver and Mizzou commit Ja'Marion Wayne said.
"It just felt like I needed to be there and I need to make a change in my home state...," Burden said. "That's a whole lot of St. Louis people (coming to Mizzou). We fitting to turn it around. We here."
Burden plans to graduate early and be in Columbia in January of 2022 to get ready for his freshman year as a Tiger.
So what can fans expect from him?
"They can expect 'Touchdown Luther'," Burden said.

[@joemckim1183]

It's nice to see a local high school player choose Mizzou over an outside team.

[@xftbllplyr2091]

He should have stayed in Illinois, but I guess his grades weren’t that great

[@jamesbong2614]

lol Why so he can lose every single game?

[@joemckim1183]

@@xftbllplyr2091 Illinois might've been a more high profile football team than Mizzou 10-20 years ago but Mizzou is a bigger team now. I mean they're not Alabama or Georgia but they still go to regular bowl games. Illinois not so much anymore.

[@danielharris4554]

As a uga fan I hate missing out on potential elite talents but you can't win every recruiting battle right so good luck at Missouri I definitely do not believe this was a football decision but we definitely only want players that want to be a part of this elite culture coach smart and these players are building in the end I think Georgia and Alabama will be just fine can't speak for Alabama fans but as a uga fan he would've been a nice addition but I guess now he is competition so good luck and go Dawgs

[@joemckim1183]

@@danielharris4554 And at those 2 other schools they probably already have 3-4 5 star recruits at WR. He might not start until his junior year while at Mizzou he'll be a big part of the offense in his freshman year.

[@Kay_shiesty314]

But he not from east St. Louis he from stl

[@beedubya9561]

I’m just glad he’ll be able to get out for now. It’s not easy in East STL, props to him and his family!

[@chichigotdayayo555]

Lotta comments from guys with no athletic talent. Do yo thing youngin

[@K_Engineer813]

4real, all these internet critics hating on a 17-yr-old kid or acting like they know what’s best for his life. You know being a Georgia or Bama fan is the best thing they got going on in their mediocre lives

[@brandonh2148]

Probably smart on his end he can start right away and show out for them and at bama he would have to compete and possibly not even start right away so I get it some players don’t want to complete they wanna come in and start right away that’s why so many players are transferring these days because they aren’t playing enough

[@dreambiggmedia]

I’m here after seeing him ball out

[@aj551]

He probably wanted to go somewhere he’ll get a lot of playing time at

[@dj1otw]

Ong

[@dj1otw]

And close to fam

[@cosmiccharlie1056]

@@dj1otw Ong?

[@MichaelNoble-fo4lq]

Best receiver in America!!!!!!!!!

[@Kay_shiesty314]

Hometown hero but

[@davidkenney2175]

Man, I love this! MIZZOU! MIZZOU BABY!!!

[@e.robinson_229]

I hope he get it figures out who will be throwing him the ball! Good luck Kid!

[@allenbennett5671]

Sam horn, maybe in two years

[@e.robinson_229]

@@allenbennett5671 😄

[@roccosteo8328]

Sam horn baby

[@e.robinson_229]

@@roccosteo8328 😄

[@kaii231]

Now he's gonna spend his next few years being tossed by ga and Alabama.

[@yungreese4741]

Out of every 5 star, he had the best pick. He’s near home, he’s in the SEC, and he can make a name for himself. Also got a good QB

[@movo2060]

Surprised

[@ripog2508]

Lil Luther !!!!!

[@Elephant828]

Miz--Zou

[@alexowens6511]

#youtube.ong delicious

[@TY-fm8lj]

That's fine they'll still be bad lol

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

And you’re still mad it rhymes

[@reeeaaaalll]

Could have went to bama, georgia, penn st lsu those teams but I respect his decision

[@frankfurlacker5219]

Yeah but he would have to compete for playing time at those schools. You have to realize those programs are 3-4 deep at every position.

[@LeskoBrandon2x]

Guess who’s gonna skunk mizzou next year 🐶

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

Salty

[@tokindawg3271]

@@TJWatt-eh7fp no salt at all baby look at the records 😎

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

@@tokindawg3271 and you have no control over how they play stfu

[@tokindawg3271]

@@TJWatt-eh7fp you sound salty bud it’s okay may I suggest switching teams yours is destined to lose

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

@@tokindawg3271 I don’t watch college because I’m not a fucking nerd

[@kevinperkins5955]

Yes he did the right thing probably would have took him a while to get on the field here at BAMA !

[@kiingkong612]

As a Bulldogs fan it's funny to go back and watch this video

[@likeaholster]

huh

[@stevenburch8703]

Too bad bruh gonna catch so many L’s from both those schools Go dawgs

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

It’s his hometown leave him alone respect him for not going to a highly thought of school

[@jackmoreno5988]

He will be at Georgia or Alabama in less than one years time

[@NTF423]

This didn't age well

[@likeaholster]

how did this work out for ya?

[@tankerscrub5811]

He was not at Georgia or Alabama in less than one years time

[@keithcolemon3747]

He'll flip trust me it's for show

[@Steve-qr1tj]

Keith Coleman I doubt it. Keep drinking that lol aid

[@keithcolemon3747]

@@Steve-qr1tj don't say I didn't tell you so remember verbal committs are nothing solid just food for thought there buddy

[@edtixx5299]

Parents already paid

[@terrybrunk9190]

You're delusional

[@pocat6]

Georgia punching air right now. 🤣

[@0xchampion324]

He picked mizzou over Alabama and Georgia 🥺 little old mizzou feels so good now lol

[@KingFo82]

He gonna get pounded by UGA and BAMA! Disrespectful throwing those hats!

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

LOL you’re so soft

[@KingFo82]

@@TJWatt-eh7fp Lol far from it. Just pick a hat. Now he will be getting dragged by both teams. Missouri ain’t hitting on shit. Changed his mind on Oklahoma. Then disrespected UGA and Alabama. I think he just want the easy road and don’t have to compete.

[@TJWatt-eh7fp]

@@KingFo82 cry about it

[@waynegay8017]

Congrats and Good luck to you. Poor kid! The first and only 5 star recruit going to mizzou! For some reason, most kids like to keep their heads attached during games and against the big dawgs!

[@JefeHustler]

He's not the first DGB (number 1 in America) and Terry Beckner were 5*

[@waynegay8017]

@@JefeHustler not trying to sound like a douche but when you’re able to remember the names of the other “two” 5 stars that go there…it kind of validates my point. Best of luck to them though. I’m just salty they didn’t go to UGA anyway! Ha

[@justinshirley8373]

Imagine being a 5 star and picking Missouri 💀 as for the hat toss, we will see Missouri November 6th on our turf. Hope you’re watching.

[@justinshirley8373]

@@SpiritMover314 Bulldogs have been my team my entire life. I get where he is coming from tho. I would pick a sucky team so I could stand out too

[@justinshirley8373]

@@SpiritMover314 I'm talking about football here, not feelings. Out of all the schools he could go to, he picked a team thats 3-4 in the regular season right now. You can call it "hometown pride" but that won't get you anywhere in your career if the coaches dont know how to grow you as a player. It's pretty obvious Mizzou can't coach very well. He will see what he will be missing out on come the November in Athens, GA. We will show you what hometown pride looks like

[@matthewcall3961]

@@justinshirley8373 We still have mostly Odom’s players. He wasn’t a great recruiter. But we got a top 15 class coming in. May take a couple years, but college isn’t like the pros where you can make trades and sign experienced free agents. When you’re coming from a bad coach (Odom) it’ll take a few years get reset. Wasn’t long ago Georgia was disappointing, too, so don’t act like y’all have dominated the East. Remember, Mizzou won the division our second and third years in the conference. So keep talking all you want. Pretty clear you can’t handle rejection very well. **fade out over 😢 🎻**

[@justinshirley8373]

@@matthewcall3961 I'm talking about now. Not years ago. He chose Mizzou RIGHT NOW which is the saddest team (other than Vandy) in the SEC. 0-3 in conference right now.... Idgaf about the past. I care about now. Funny how people say "in 1842 we had the best team'.... Like tf? What does that have anything to do with how bad yall suck right now?

[@matthewcall3961]

@@justinshirley8373 Seriously, listen to some Taylor Swift, eat a gallon of Haagen-Dasz, cry and move on. You’re just gonna have to face the fact that he’s just not that into you. Sorry, but rejection is just not a pretty look on you.

[@amedoviedo1986]

Missouri gets a classless, immature individual. R.I.P Mizzou. Dawgs and Tide are two very prideful programs...💪💪💪

[@SuperFeetBoi]

Cry more

[@terrykluner1359]

Georgia has won shit in 40 yrs and bama cheats

[@PBC03]

@@terrykluner1359 Proof reading is key lol

[@gregorypruitt2021]

YOU CLOWN @ Amed Oviedo..

[@fkdonaldtrump7194]

You don’t even know the kid clown

[@SmackYaMama]

"I chose Mizzou bc I wanna be the first to uh, uhhh, uhhh"

[@chinajoe272]

Hes a 17 old kid you clown

[@barelydubstep]

@@chinajoe272 he justed stuttered

[@chinajoe272]

@@barelydubstep I know this guy is trolling him for it

[@SmackYaMama]

@@chinajoe272 So being 17 is an excuse for being mush mouthed? When I had to give speeches in high school, I made sure I represented myself well.

[@chinajoe272]

@@SmackYaMama you're not presenting yours self well now.