Jager Burton recently helped organize a tornado relief project to help those in London and Somerset. (UK Athletics Photo)
Jager Burton was one of the big names in Kentucky football’s 2021 recruiting class.
He was a four-star offensive lineman from hometown Frederick Douglass High School who had a slew of big-time offers. He was the top-ranked player in Kentucky and third highest rated offensive lineman in the country.
He started 13 games at left guard in 2022 but the last two seasons he played at both guard and center while also battling various injuries. He also lost some of the confidence he had coming out of high school.
Burton said during spring practice that he realized he was “not the biggest fish in the pond” once he got to UK and got his welcome to SEC football.
He started 10 games at left guard last season but in spring practice he played center, the position he started the first three games of the 2023 season, along with guard.
Burton admitted in the spring he probably was over thinking at times when he played center in 2023 and had several bad snaps. He worked getting as many reps as he could in the spring in case he’s needed at center next season.
While the UK coaches help him on the field, advice from his parents might have helped him more than anything.
“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 to be disappointed or whatever. I just had a couple of long talks this offseason with my mom and my dad, and just getting a point of view from someone else and seeing how they look at it,” Burton said.
Burton’s father, Jeff, is a former coach who was always Burton’s coach.
“If I needed football advice, dad was always around,” the UK lineman said. “He knows the game and what he is talking about.
“In high school you are ready to get out of the house and not as grateful to your parents as you should be. I have been around people who don’t have both parents in their lives and that has made me more grateful for my parents,” Burton said.
He spent a week staying with his parents during time off from school and football.
“Just the feeling of being home I realized how good I had it growing up and understood how hard they worked to give me the best chance to do what I wanted to do,” Burton said. “Mom is really smart. I slowly gained confidence talking to them because they helped me a bunch. A lot of athletes just keep going. You hear people say talk to friends or family if you need help and they really meant it because it sure helped me.”
7 Responses
As we get older, our parents seem to get smarter.
I am 64 years old and raised 4 daughters. I am now bald and completely immune from drama. As with most parents, I am proud of all of them but the other day, my youngest sent me a text.
"Daddy, would you please call me. I need you to pray with me."
I lost it for a bit, but was so happy and proud of her for asking. Didn’t take long to make that call.
I’m sure Jager’s parents are just as proud to be able to help and continue being a part of his life, as well.
You, sir, have done a good job raising your kids! Well done!
Well done Old Fan
I think Jager would be the first to admit that he hasn’t yet lived up to the ranking and hope it is all capable of coming together for him and the team this year. He obviously has a very supportive family behind him. This may be the most least inspiring preseason I have felt in very long time. I can’t imagine the fear we strike in all opposing teams on our schedule this year as they easily put a W in that column. We used to place Vandy, the Cocks, and the Birds in that category but those days are in rear view mirror. Our 2026 recruiting has been toilet training as well, but we are being asked to feel much better because Stoops is motivated more than in the past.
Burton has had 2 different offensive line coaches. 3 different offensive coordinators. He’s seen the highs of Kentucky football and he’s definitely seen the lows. I think he just wants to go out on top. I expect us to have a better year but how much better depends a whole lot on how much the offensive line has improved. We have 5 very good lineman. Then we have about 3-4 other average lineman on the team that can hold there own. This team will go as far as the offensive line takes us. If they are a good unit I expect success. If they are even a little better I expect a 6-6 type of season. If they are better then advertised I can see a 7-5 or 8-4 type of year. No matter what happens we will be better in 2026. The thing about this team I noticed is we have alot of seniors and then we have alot of redshirt freshman. This year the freshman will have to learn from the seniors. The example that they create will be the tone set for the next 2-3 years. If we have a dumpster fire season then we don’t have a ton of hope for the future. If we have a competitive season and make a bowl expect a big jump in 2026. Calzada will buy this offense enough time to get Boley and Saunders ready for the next 2-3 years. I would give Boost reps even if Calzada is having a good game. They need to keep Boost ready. When we play non conference games I would split the reps up by quarter. Maybe have Calzada play the first and third quarter and Boley to play the second and fourth quarter. I would definitely get Boley as many reps as possible. Seeing that Calzada is a one and done. You have to get all these younger guys as many reps as you can get them in the games without falling off from production. I know were not going to pass the football 30-40 times a game, probably closer to about 20-25 passing attempts per game. The offensive line needs to give Calzada time to drop back in the pro set offense set his feet and check off receivers. If he has the time he will thrive here at Kentucky if the defense is in on him as soon as he hikes the ball expect a very long season. I do believe we will be much improved on run blocking which we are usually pretty good at run blocking its the pass blocking that kills us and has killed us the last 3-4 years. I think we have a better offensive line who can actually move better than the last 3-4 years which will help with pass blocking. Wollshlager and Pete are a major upgrades at the tackle positions. Throw Malachi Wood as the backup to either tackle position and we are in good hands next year. Our guards and center might be the best inside offensive line in the sec. Farmer, Braun, and Burton might be the 3 best offensive lineman on the team and we should have alot of success running between the tackles this year. Providing depth will be Selm, Johnson, and Wibberly. We have alot of depth on the line for the first time in a long time. The starters are seniors except for Farmer who is a jr. All the backups are very young. Mostly redshirt freshman. This year will be year 2 for so many and they will provide great depth. Next year all these offensive lineman will be in starting assignments.
Football season is just 10 weeks from now but based on what is written here, baskeball season seems to be starting next week.. Is nothing happening in UK football?
I believe this a football article but you are right, silence from football. Hope you read recruiting story earlier this week