Jordan

Burch

A former five-star recruit, Burch (6’4/279) finally put it all together in 2024 after a career that included three seasons at South Carolina before transferring to Eugene. He posted career-highs in TFLs (11.0), sacks (8.5), and pass breakups (5) despite missing four games due to injury. A smooth-moving edge rusher in a power end’s frame, Burch is a heavy-handed disruptor whose favorite tool is brute strength, bull-rushing blockers into reverse or uncorking a violent club-rip to soften edges. He posted an 83.9 pass rush grade — best of his career — and an 81.2 tackling mark, missing just one tackle all season. His athletic testing wasn’t full-spectrum, but his 4.67 forty was a 91st percentile mark, flashing the juice needed to win early in reps. However, Burch’s tape is often feast-or-famine. He lacks a diverse counter arsenal, and inconsistent get-off timing lets linemen gain leverage. He is more reactive than instinctual versus the run and will be 24 as a rookie, with multiple injuries in his college history. That said, Burch offers high-floor traits and scheme versatility as a power end with pass-rush upside.

Burch (6'6/255) committed to South Carolina in December and reaffirmed his commitment on Wednesday’s National Signing Day, but the Gamecocks then went through an anxious 24-plus hours after the program failed to receive his signed National Letter of Intent. LSU was pushing hard for the flip, here. The drama finally ended on Thursday evening, when South Carolina officially announced him as a signed member of their 2020 class. Columbia native Burch, now staying home, hits the 247Sports composite board as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2020 class and makes for the program’s highest-ranked signee since Jadeveon Clowney in 2011.

More drama with Burch. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound defensive end initially committed to South Carolina in December and announced on Wednesday that he would be playing his college ball in Columbia. However, it has become clear that Burch’s NLI has not yet reached South Carolina, with HC Will Muschamp essentially saying as much in his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Burch won’t end up with the program, but LSU had been pushing very hard to flip the five-star stud over the past month-and-a-half. At the very least, the delay, here, is an interesting one. We’ll continue to track this one until it reaches resolution.

Burch (6'6/255) committed to the Gamecocks in December but did not sign with them at the time, leaving the door open for a potential February flip. LSU drew an unofficial visit from the Columbia native last weekend, but South Carolina will have the last chance to make a closing pitch, here. That should be considered an encouraging sign for the program, though even with the OV locked in, this one is not a done deal for HC Will Muschamp and staff. Earlier this week, 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong predicted that LSU would win out for Burch come National Signing Day. Burch will be announcing his final decision at 1 EST on Wednesday. On the 247Sports’ composite board, Burch lands as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Burch (6'6/255) committed to South Carolina at the start of the early signing window in December, but because he did not sign his NLI at the time, teams like LSU will have a chance to swing him over come National Signing Day next Wednesday. Per Wiltfong, South Carolina is trying their darnedest to lock Burch in for a visit this coming weekend, which would allow them one final in-person opportunity to seal the deal. The five-star defensive end hits the 247Sports composite board as the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2020 class.

Burch (6'6/255) committed to South Carolina to much fanfare at the start of the early signing period, but crucially did sign his NLI at the time. Per Rivals’ Chad Simmons, all of his earlier finalists beyond the Gamecocks -- Clemson, Georgia, Alabama and LSU -- have been in touch with the Columbia native. If the star prep edge rusher does ultimately set up a few visits for January, we’ll pass along word. Rivals ranks Burch as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2020 class. It would be a killer blow for the Gamecocks if they ended up losing this one.

Burch (6'6/255) was choosing between South Carolina, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and LSU. The Columbia, South Carolina, native had been on campus a number of times and the Gamecocks had the hometown edge for this one, but even so, they fought through the toughest of competition to get the job done on Wednesday. Burch is South Carolina’s biggest prep signing since Jadeveon Clowney and currently ranks on the 247Sports composite board as the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2020 class. In his ESPNU post-decision interview, Burch said that he styles his game after the likes of Julius Peppers and Khalil Mack. As the kids say, let’s go.

This per The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. Burch (6'6/255) announced his South Carolina commitment earlier on Wednesday, opting in with the Gamecocks over Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and LSU. We’ll pass along word when the five-star defensive end officially inks up on his NLI. Kendall, it should be noted, passes along that Burch is not expected to sign before the end of Wednesday.

Burch (6'6/255) will make his decision public in front of a national audience, as his ceremony will be broadcast on ESPNU. The five-star defensive lineman originally planned to make the announcement on December 19, but it’s been moved up a day for television reasons. Burch, ranked the top strong-side defensive end in the 2020 class by 247Sports, is considering Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina heading into his decision day. Also a talented basketball player, Burch has been compared to former Ohio State DE Joey Bosa by some recruiting analysts.

Burch (6'6/255) has checked in with visits to all of his finalists, with LSU drawing his first OV of the cycle (that trip coming over the weekend). An elite athlete who profiles as a future stud at defensive end, the Columbia, South Carolina, native plays with thump and passion while oozing potential pro upside should he hit his developmental ceiling down the road. Look for Burch to make use of his four remaining official visits in the weeks ahead. On the 247Sports composite board, Burch lands loftily as the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2020 class.