Burns to Declare for the NFL Draft

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami junior cornerback Artie Burns announced today that he has elected to forgo his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2016 National Football League Draft.

“After considering all the options, and looking into my future, I feel it is in my best interest to forego my senior year and declare for the NFL Draft,” Burns said in a statement. “I can’t put into words what these past three years have meant to me in my development as a football player but even more importantly as a man.”

Burns received second-team All-ACC honors from both the ACSMA (Atlantic Coast Sport Media Association) and the league’s coaches after he posted a breakout 2015 campaign.

The junior cornerback from Miami, Fla., led the ACC with six interceptions and ranked fifth nationally. His six interceptions this season are the most by a Hurricane since Sean Taylor’s 10 picks in 2003. In addition, Burns recorded 36 tackles and five pass breakups.

Earlier this season, Burns collected interceptions in three-consecutive games and became the first Hurricane to accomplish that feat since Taylor did so in 2003.

In 2015, the Hurricanes had seven players selected in the NFL Draft. The Hurricanes have had five-or-more players taken in the NFL Draft on 24 separate occasions since 1980.
 
The Hurricanes have had 93 draft picks since the start of the 2000 season – a figure that is tied for second among all NCAA teams.