Jager Burton (62) has regained his confidence thanks in part to advice from his parents. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Offensive lineman Jager Burton has played in 38 games at Kentucky and started 34 of those games either at guard or center.
He was a highly-rated hometown recruit who dreamed of playing at Kentucky. He was named Kentucky’s Mr. Football and winner of the Paul Hornung Award given to the state’s best high school player, unusual honors for a high school offensive lineman.
Yet Burton heard the criticism of him and UK’s offensive line loud and often during the 2024 season and admitted recently he lost confidence, something he had never experienced before.
That led Burton to make a move not every high school athlete would make. Instead of looking for a coach or teammate to lean on, he turned to his parents, Teresa and Jeff Burton.
“It’s hard sometimes to feel open enough to talk to your parents and really tell them what’s going on because you don’t want them to be disappointed. I had a couple long talks this offseason with my Mom and my Dad,” Burton said.
Why them?
“Getting a point of view from someone else and seeing how they look at it. They don’t necessarily see it how I’m interpreting it in my head. It honestly flipped my whole mindset around,” the UK fifth-year senior said. “It’s been huge. I feel like it’s helped me a lot for sure.”
Burton has also benefited by a renewed sense of team commitment overall among the players coming off last year’s disappointing 4-8 season. He says players are doing more things together and spending more time off the field with each other.
“It’s kind of hard to explain for people who don’t play offensive line. Having the chemistry where we’re all on the same level makes it so much easier to pass that stuff off,” he said. “It’s something that’s really hard to learn, but sometimes you get with three people and your sets are the same, your footwork is the same.
“I feel like we have that right now. It’s the easiest it’s felt to pass off twists and games in the inside. When it comes to bull-rushes and really sitting down and giving (quarterbacks) Zach (Calzada) or Cutter (Boley) time to step up and really throw the ball. It’s felt great.”
Burton knows it is only spring practice but he feels a lot better about UK’s revamped offensive line and his own play.
“I feel like I finally have that confidence back where I know I can play. I know the coaches trust in me and believe in me. That’s the world honestly,” he said.
One Response
I thought Burton would be a 4 and done to the NFL. I think he finally proves his worth this year. He had his worst year last year and I knew it was something but now I know it was his confidence. Pete Farmer Burton Braun and big W will be the starters and will be a much better run blocking line then we had last year. The great thing about this offensive line is the depth. We actually have a decent second team which hasn’t been the case the last couple of years. Wood will be much better this year Wibberly and the New Mexico transfer at tackle will all be excellent second stringers. Then we have some freshman that redshirted last year that will get a little game action this year against inferior competition. 3 positions you can’t survive on talent alone and you need technique is Quarterback, Offensive line, and Cornerback. 3 very important positions. It helps to have good experience at all 3 positions and we have experience and depth at all 3 positions.