Oren Burks

Oren Burks's Biography

Oren Spencer Burks, born March 21, 1995, is a professional American football outside linebacker player presently contributing to the Philadelphia Eagles team of the National Football League (NFL). Burks’s football journey began in high school, continued at Vanderbilt in college, and eventually elevated him to the NFL, all while demonstrating his potential and capabilities in this highly competitive sport.

Burks was raised in a small, rural town in Lorton, Virginia, where he attended South County High School. Even as a high school football player, Burks demonstrated considerable potential, earning the attention of multiple colleges. His skills as a 3-star prospect led him to be courted by several institutions. However, Burks chose to further develop his skills at Vanderbilt University, passing on the offers from Duke, Maryland, Boston College, and others.

While at Vanderbilt, Burks cemented his reputation as an impactful player. During his sophomore year in a game against Kentucky, he made an indelible impression by intercepting two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown. This performance earned him the honor of the Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week. His contribution was lasting and significant till his senior year, which led him to be invited to the 2018 Senior Bowl as an alternate.

After his remarkable tenure at Vanderbilt, the Green Bay Packers noticed Burks’ potential and selected him in the third round (88th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft. This decision required the Packers to trade their fourth (101st overall) and fifth round (147th overall) picks with the Carolina Panthers. Despite the 12th linebacker to be drafted in 2018, Burks went on to validate the Packers’ faith in his abilities.

On May 17, 2018, the Green Bay Packers signed Burks to a four-year contract valued at $3.43 million, including a signing bonus of $820,756. Burks’ NFL journey began with the Green Bay Packers, where he entered training camp as a backup inside linebacker. During training camp, he competed against Antonio Morrison for a starting place after Jake Ryan suffered an ACL injury.

His journey in professional football did not begin smoothly; he suffered a shoulder injury during pre-game warmups. This injury led to Burks being unable to participate in the first two regular-season games, which was a challenging experience for the newcomer. However, upon his return from injury, Head Coach Mike McCarthy assigned Burks as a backup starting inside linebacker behind Antonio Morrison.

Despite the early setback, Burks made his professional debut on September 23, 2018, contributing two combined tackles in a game against the Washington Redskins. He amassed a total of 24 tackles in 14 games as a rookie, marking his prominence in the league. Burks continued to contribute to the team, both on defense and special teams in subsequent seasons.

After leaving the Packers, Burks signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 17, 2022. During his two-year stint with the 49ers, Burks continued to carve out a solid career. He significantly contributed to the team’s defense and special teams, helping the team reach the Super Bowl.

In the climax of his career with the 49ers, he was a starter in Super Bowl LVIII against the Chiefs. Although the team did not win the Super Bowl, the overtime loss of 25-22 was a testament to their fighting spirit, with Burks being a significant part of their journey.

Following his productive two-year stint with the 49ers, Burks signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on March 19, 2024. Now he continues to evolve as a player, sharpening his skills and abilities as a progressive linebacker in the Philadelphia Eagles team of the NFL, showing promise and preparing to leave his mark on this highly competitive sport.