Smokin' Joe

After an amazing 2007 season that included six interceptions and being named first team All-Conference USA as both a defensive back and punt returner, UCF cornerback Joe Burnett is starting to receive some national attention. To date, Burnett has been named to three prestigious award watch lists for the 2008 season and he has caught the eye of media circuits around the country.

The attention Burnett is receiving is warranted. He enters this upcoming season tied for the most interceptions amongst FBS players and currently ranks second all time on the UCF interception list, with 12 career picks.

Burnett first received national attention this off-season was when he was named to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy watch list. This award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive player as voted by the FWAA (Football Writers Association of America). The FWAA selected 56 candidates to be on this year’s watch list. Burnett stands to be an in uphill battle to win this particular award, as the last defensive back to win it was Derrick Strait of Oklahoma in 2003.

The next list Burnett was named to was the Bednarik award, named after Penn standout Chuck Bednarik. This award is also given to the nation’s top defender and is decided by the Maxwell Football Club. Burnett is one of 75 collegiate players on the list, but again he faces inauspicious odds, as the last defensive back to win the award was Charles Woodson in 1997, and won the Heisman Trophy that year as well.

Finally, Burnett is one of 40 defensive backs to be named to the Jim Thorpe award watch list. This award is given by the Jim Thorpe award association and is named after one of the best all-around athletes the world has known. He is the only member of the C-USA to be named to this list.

Receiving any of these awards would be a great personal achievement, but Burnett is focusing on more important aspects of football this upcoming season.

“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,” said Burnett, who also has a goal of winning another conference title.

“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.”

While Burnett is receiving attention from numerous award committees, he is also shining in the eyes of draft gurus, as he has the potential to go very high in the upcoming 2009 NFL draft. Burnett has all the skills to make a difference in the NFL, standing at 5’11” 185 lbs., and running the 40 in the low 4.4’s, he also possesses the size and speed to get it done at the next level. In addition to the physical attributes, he also has the swagger and confidence needed to take on the best receivers, shown simply by asking him if he thinks he is the best corner, he replies without hesitation, “In my eyes, yes.”

Gaining consideration from the national media and from scouts alike is great for Burnett and the UCF football program. He is considered a first round prospect by several draft websites and could be the highest Knight taken since Daunte Culpepper was taken with the 11th overall pick in 1999.

Perhaps it is still too early to determine what Burnett’s future will hold, but if he continues to have the success he has had, he will be hearing his name called very early next April and could be bringing some hardware with him into the NFL.