He was the final big-play wide receiver of the Nick Saban era for Alabama football, though he arrived in 2022 as a transfer from the University of Georgia.
Jermaine Burton, a California native, was a college football national champion at Georgia in 2021, but talent was never an issue for him. His maturity was questioned at times during his collegiate tenure, especially an incident in 2022 when he was at Alabama.
LOOK: Former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe featured at NFL Rookie Premiere
At the conclusion of Alabama’s matchup versus Tennessee, Burton struck a female fan in the head as the Volunteers rushed the field in victory. The moment created much controversy as Burton acted out of emotion. He was gifted on the field, catching 79 passes for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns across two seasons in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Burton posted career-highs for receiving yards (798) and touchdowns (eight) in 2023, assisting the Crimson Tide to an SEC title.
He became a third-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals, but more personal problems would follow him. Burton was allegedly involved in a domestic violence situation on Dec. 30, 2024, where he chocked and hit his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her home. He caught four passes for 107 yards as a rookie for the Bengals, yet the coaching staff did not have him travel with the team for its regular season finale versus Pittsburgh.
Burton has had his share of problems, but it seems like he’s made a change for the better.
According to an Instagram post from Preme Sports, Burton has a fresh mindset to prove he belongs in the National Football League. He has shown up every day for voluntary minicamp and has developed a good relationship with Bengals’ quarterback, Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati believes in the talent of Burton, but it wants the behavior to match it.
He is making the most of his second chance in the offseason, yet the hope is that it spills over to the regular season in the fall.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
