Wilmington, Pa., running back Chris Burns was just a name in most internet databases a few months ago. The talented 5-foot-10, 181-pound back was offered by Pittsburgh and quietly committed a few short weeks later. After his highlight film started to surface on the internet people started to realize how good he was and ask why he was under the radar?
We should now consider Burns as a big blip on the radar after an outstanding performance at Sunday’s Scout.com Combine at the Pittsburgh Steelers Indoor Practice Facility. The Steelers and Pittsburgh share the facility and Burns excelled after having a chance christen his future home.
Burns tested very well. He ran a (4.44) in the forty-yard dash, (4.10) in the shuttle and a (7.27) in the L-Cone. He didn’t stop with just the running events. He then posted a 36-inch vertical leap and a 9-8 standing broad jump.
Burns accelerates through his forty-yard dash.
During the one-on-one’s Burns and Torrence were snapping ankles and turning heads the entire time. You never would have guessed that either were already committed as they looked like guys trying too prove themselves. Burns seemed like he was taking every other rep. It didn’t matter who he went against the results were the same. He would use a juke move that was a slick as an Allen Iverson cross-over dribble and then accelerate past the linebackers on running plays. Then while running the wheel routes the linebackers who stick with him for the first five yards the it seemed like Burns hit an extra gear and just left them behind.
With his combine performance and his impressive highlight film, Burns proved that he is one of if not the premiere running back in the East Region. In fairness to Torrence he also could have won the MVP award if he had tested in each event, but Devoe was just having fun playing the game that he loves. He did everything in tennis shoes and never skipped a beat. The two of these guys have a chance to become very special players on the next level.
Trinity, Pa., linebacker Mike Yancich was outstanding during the testing phase of the combine as he ran a (4.50) forty-yard dash, (7.02) L-Cone and a (4.15) shuttle. He also posted a 33-inch vertical and a 9-3 broad jump.
The Scout.com Combine tour continues this weekend with stops in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, May 12 and Kansas City, Kan., on Monday, May 14.