Oren Burks


Oren Burks is an American football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He played college football at Vanderbilt, and was drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

High school

Burks attended South County High School in Lorton, Virginia. Rated as a 3-star prospect out of high school, Burks committed to Vanderbilt over other offers from Duke, Maryland, Boston College, and others.

College career

In a game against Kentucky during his second year, Burks intercepted 2 passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This feat caused him to become the SEC defensive player of the week. Following his senior season, Burk was also invited to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl as an alternate.

Professional career

The Green Bay Packers selected Burks in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Green Bay Packers traded their fourth and fifth round picks in 2018 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' third round pick which they used to select Burks. Burks was the 12th linebacker drafted in 2018.
On May 17, 2018, the Green Bay Packers signed Burks to a four-year, $3.43 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $820,756.
Burks entered training camp slated as a backup inside linebacker. He competed against Antonio Morrison to be a starting inside linebacker after Jake Ryan sustained a torn ACL during training camp. Burks sustained a shoulder injury during pre-game warmups before the start of the Packers' third preseason game at the Oakland Raiders and was subsequently inactive for the first two regular season games. Head coach Mike McCarthy named Burks a backup starting inside linebacker, behind Antonio Morrison, upon his return from injury. On September 23, 2018, Burks made his professional regular season debut and recorded two combined tackles during a 31–17 loss at the Washington Redskins in Week 3.

NFL career statistics

Regular season