Joe Burnett Speaks Up

Hear what cornerback Joe Burnett had to say about returning to lead UCF for his senior season, the closeness of the current defensive back group, and his belief in his ability.

After a season in which he accumulated 64 tackles and 6 interceptions, UCF cornerback Joe Burnett was tempted by the allure of the NFL, declaring himself eligible for the draft along. Burnett however saw that a deep cornerback class might adversely affect his draft stock and ultimately decided to return to UCF for his senior season, which certainly bodes well for the Knights.

“Not only was it a strong cornerback class,” said Burnett. “I just had a gut feeling that I was making the wrong decision. I was rushing my dream instead of letting it come to me.”

Burnett’s decision to return solidifies a strong defense that returns eight starters and because of his decision to stay, all four of its defensive backs. The relationship Burnett has with fellow starting senior defensive backs Johnell Neal, Sha’reff Rashard and Jason Venson was also a major factor in his decision to come back for his final season.

“The support we give each other on and off the field is huge,” Burnett said, alluding to his fellow secondary members. “This Sunday we had a practice that started at 12 o’clock, Johnell (Neal) called all of us up and thought we should go out for breakfast and we went to Denny’s before practice.” It’s this camaraderie that factored into Burnett’s decision to return, and now he and his fellow senior defensive backs will attempt to take over the role of senior leaders.

“Right now, sure its spring practice but I’m trying to get the young guys at the same level as the veterans. We have a lot of inexperienced guys who don’t know much right now but will eventually be playing. We need to get them on them on the same ship as us veterans, we need to show them how to compete.”

While Burnett will now have the responsibility of being a leader, he knows he still has some growing to do. Burnett has all the physical skills to be successful at the next level; he is 5-11”, 185 lbs, which is certainly big enough to play cornerback in the NFL. He also runs in the low 4.4’s on the 40-yard dash, so speed isn’t a concern either for Burnett. In fact, the only concern for projected second-round draft pick is consistency. “Every play, every day, I have to be more consistent and keep making plays. Me and Coach O’Leary talk about just being more consistent in everything I do.”

Aside from honing his technique and focusing on routinely making plays, Burnett has some other goals in mind for the 2008 season. He has participated in two Conference USA championship games in the three years he has attended UCF, and he plans on making it a third. “We finish every practice with ‘back to back’ and we want to go back to the championship and have another bowl appearance. It’s a long-term goal, but we can do it.”

Burnett’s presence will certainly help propel the Knights defense to the top of the conference and his experience will be invaluable. The Knights lost their leader and most notable player in Kevin Smith because he left early for the draft, and now Burnett will take over as the face of the team. He seems up to the task, as he combines overwhelming athleticism and a knack for making big plays with a sparkling personality blended with a small amount of cockiness. Case in point, when asked if he thought he was the best cornerback in the nation he answered very calmly, “In my eyes, yes.”

At this point in the season, is there really any reason to doubt his statement?