Selfishly from a fan’s perspective, it would’ve been a dream to see Artie Burns return to the University of Miami for his senior season. Fiscally-speaking, it made sense that the talented cornerback chose to follow the money trail.
Toss in what Burns went through his junior season at “The U”—losing his mother unexpectedly, forced into manhood overnight—and all you can do is root for the kid to dominate, get paid and to live the life he’s always dreamed of.
That dream became a reality on Thursday night when Burns was the 25th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Burns wound up in Coral Gables by way of just up the road Miami Northwestern—which has sent countless kids to UM. A 4-star recruit, Burns was a consensus Top 20 cornerback; ranked as high as tenth nationwide by ESPN U.
As a true freshman in 2013, Burns played in 11 of 13 games—recording 17 tackles and averaging 26.1 yards on ten kick returns. Burns damn-near leapt off the screen on a blocked first half field goal in an eventual four-point win at North Carolina; an early sign that there was something special about this kid.
The following season Burns earned his first career start in a road loss at Louisville in the season opener. He finished the season with 43 tackles and had a career-high with six in a loss at Nebraska.
By 2015, Burns truly broke out of his shell and put together the type of junior season that helps make it easy for a kid to go pro a year early. Burns led the ACC with six interceptions—the most by any Hurricane since the late, great Sean Taylor hauled in 10 back in 2003.
Burns started all 12 games in which he competed—sitting out the Virginia game early November soon after his mother Dana Smith was laid to rest.
Smith passed days after Miami was throttled 58-0 by Clemson, but suited up for the miracle comeback over Duke—though was an obvious, emotional wreck; getting hit with personal fouls and understandably erratic due to all that life dropped in his then 20-year old lap.
Burns went on to finish the season with 36 tackles—26 solo—five passes broken up and a fumble recovery. Two interceptions against Virginia Tech and six tackles against Clemson were career highs.
Speed is another tool in Burns’ arsenal; the defensive back once dreaming of Olympic fame and idolizing legendary sprinter Bob Hayes; the only man to win a gold medal and a Super Bowl ring. Burns is a former junior America record holder in the 60-meter hurdles—cut from good stock, as his late mother was a former track star at Miami Northwestern, as well.
Burns joins a Steelers organization that hadn’t drafted a cornerback in the first round in over two decades. Pittsburgh seems ready to welcome the former Miami star—and all the weight he’s carrying.
“He’s a solid, young man who went through a little tragedy this year with his mother passing during the season,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He fought through that … had a solid year.
“Artie’s a special kid. He has a child and is in relationship with [the child’s mother]. He has two younger brothers who really have fallen under his care with his mother’s passing. It will be a challenge for him. I give the kid credit for what he’s doing.
“It’s a lot to undertake. It will be part of our duties to help him succeed in that venture.”
More exciting for Burns than the first round payday—a change to make an early impact with The Steel Curtain defense.
Three cornerbacks have left Pittsburgh since the end of last season—including starter Antwon Blake and Brandon Boykin; both of whom left as free agents. Cortez Allen is also gone, cut by the organization.
Steelers’ starter William Gay returns, as does back-up Russ Cockerel and rookies Senquez Golson and Doran Grant. Golson is coming off of shoulder surgery, while Grant only played one down on defense in 2015.
Three cornerbacks were taking prior to Burns—Jalen Ramsey fifth to Jacksonville, Eli Apple tenth to the New York Giants and Vernon Hargreaves eleventh to Tampa Bay—a Seminole and two Gators.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Colbert had dinner with all corners before their respective Pro Days.
“There’s a lot to be excited about with Artie,” Tomlin told the Post-Gazette. “We’re excited about the up side. He’s a natural bump corner.
“He has elite speed, a track man also down there at Miami.”
What was a nightmare fall for Burns and gut-wrenching end to a collegiate career with the hometown team has blossomed into a dream-scenario spring.
Go make the most of it, No. 1.