NC State's DJ Burns Jr. is the biggest star from March Madness this year. He's already a legend after beating Duke and advancing NC State to the Final Four for the first time since 1983.
Their improbable run to the Final Four is the best underdog story of this year's March Madness. But if Burns Jr. wants to go pro, his best bet is with the NFL.
Burns Jr. is receiving legitimate NFL interest from executives across the league, per CBS Sports. Playing in the NBA is his first choice without a doubt. But he said he hasn't ruled out the NFL during an interview on the Dan Patrick Show.
"I'd probably pursue some other options with basketball first before all of that but I'm not a closed minded person."
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 2, 2024
-DJ Burns Jr. on the possibility of playing in the #NFL if things don't work out with the #NBA pic.twitter.com/bywEG1pu8i
It's no surprise Burns Jr. is receiving NFL interest -- even if he hasn't played football since middle school, per FOX Sports.
Burns Jr. is putting on a clinic in the post. At times against Duke, his post moves looked unstoppable, especially his bump hook. His excellent footwork, agility, and power are on display every time he beats a defender for an open bucket. All of these physical attributes, paired with a 6-foot-9, 275-pound frame, fit the mold of a prototypical offensive tackle.
There's always a need for an offensive tackle in the NFL. They're a true commodity and are one of the highest-paid positions in the NFL. If scouts think a player has the talent to become a mainstay on their offensive line for the next decade, they'll take a chance on them and pay them well. Although no NFL team has hosted Burns Jr. for a pro workout, it's a real possibility if the NBA doesn't pan out.
Since the Chicago Bears are set to pick USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first-overall pick, they're going to need to protect him. The Bears have Darnell Wright locked up at right tackle for the foreseeable future. They could use a late-round pick to draft Burns Jr. and play him at left tackle once he's ready.
Drafting Burns Jr. could add depth to the Bears offensive line, a major weak point last season. They could also sign him as an undrafted free agent and develop him on their practice squad. This is what the Philadelphia Eagles did with left tackle Jordan Mailata, a former rugby player who went undrafted and developed into a starter for the Eagles.
Many college basketball players have enjoyed long NFL careers. Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, and Antonio Gates played college basketball before converting to tight ends.
For now, Burns Jr. is focused on having as much fun as possible playing March Madness.