Oren Spencer Burks (born March 21, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Vanderbilt and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Oren Burks
refer to caption
Burks with the Green Bay Packers in 2021
No. 42 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1995-03-21) March 21, 1995 (age 29)
Lorton, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:233 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school:South County (Lorton, Virginia)
College:Vanderbilt (2013–2017)
NFL draft:2018 / round: 3 / pick: 88
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 13, 2024
Total tackles:185
Sacks:2.0
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:3
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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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

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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 Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week.[1] Following his senior season, Burks was also invited to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl as an alternate.[2]

Professional career

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External videos
  Oren Burks' NFL Combine Workout
  Oren Burks runs the 40-yard dash
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+18 in
(1.91 m)
233 lb
(106 kg)
33+38 in
(0.85 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.59 s 1.58 s 2.64 s 4.15 s 6.82 s 39.5 in
(1.00 m)
10 ft 11 in
(3.33 m)
18 reps
All values from NFL Combine[3][4]

Green Bay Packers

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The Green Bay Packers selected Burks in the third round (88th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.[5] The Packers traded their fourth (101st overall) and fifth round (147th overall) picks in 2018 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the Panthers' third round pick which they used to select Burks.[6] Burks was the 12th linebacker drafted in 2018.[7]

External videos
  Packers draft Oren Burks 88th overall
  NFL Draft Profile: Oren Burks

On May 17, 2018, the Packers signed Burks to a four-year, $3.43 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $820,756.[8][9][10]

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.[11] 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 (Weeks 1–2).[12] Head coach Mike McCarthy named Burks a backup starting inside linebacker, behind Antonio Morrison, upon his return from injury.[13] 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.[14] As a rookie ,he appeared in 14 games and made four starts. He had 24 total tackles (18 solo).[15] In the 2019 season, he appeared in 12 games. He contributed on defense and special teams.[16] In the 2020 season, he appeared in 16 games and mainly contributed on special teams while having 21 total tackles on defense.[17] In the 2021 season, he appeared in all 17 games and made three starts. He had a half-sack and 36 total tackles (24 solo) while still contributing on special teams.[18]

San Francisco 49ers

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On March 17, 2022, Burks signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[19] In the 2022 season, he appeared in 17 games and started three. He finished with a half-sack, 38 total tackles, and one pass defended.[20] In the 2023 season, he appeared in 15 games and started three. He finished with one sack, 46 total tackles, one interception, and one pass defended.[21] He was a starter in Super Bowl LVIII for the 49ers in their 25–22 overtime loss to the Chiefs.[22]

Philadelphia Eagles

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On March 19, 2024, Burks signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[23]

NFL career statistics

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Regular season

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Year Team GP GS Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR
2018 GB 14 4 24 18 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 GB 12 0 11 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 GB 16 0 21 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2021 GB 17 3 36 24 12 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2022 SF 17 3 38 15 23 0.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 SF 15 3 46 29 17 1.0 0 1 1 11 11 11 0 0 1
Total 91 15 176 107 69 2.0 0 2 1 11 11 11 0 2 2

Postseason

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Year Team GP GS Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
Total Solo Ast Sck SFTY PDef Int Yds Avg Lng TDs FF FR
2019 GB 2 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020 GB 2 0 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 GB 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 SF 3 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2023 SF 3 1 8 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 11 1 19 11 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ Sparks, Adam (November 16, 2015). "Vanderbilt's Oren Burks earns SEC defensive award". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  2. ^ "Burks added to Senior Bowl". Vanderbilt University Athletics. January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Oren Burks Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  4. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Scout Oren Burks College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  5. ^ Spofford, Mike (April 27, 2018). "Packers trade up, select Vanderbilt LB Oren Burks late in third round". Packers.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Green Bay Packers trade into third round, select LB Oren Burks in NFL Draft". Fox Sports. April 27, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  8. ^ "Packers sign LB Oren Burks". Packers.com. May 17, 2018. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  9. ^ Williams, Charean (May 17, 2018). "Packers wrap up draft class by signing Oren Burks". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  10. ^ "Spotrac.com: Oren Burks contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  11. ^ "Oren Burks' shoulder injury not serious, but Packers still trade for Colts linebacker Antonio Morrison". Madison.com. August 27, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  12. ^ Hirschhorn, Jason B. (September 6, 2018). "Packers Week 1 injury report: No progress with Oren Burks' shoulder". Acme Packing Company. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  13. ^ "Packers 2018 Depth Chart is Out". totalpackers.com. September 6, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  14. ^ "Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins – September 23rd, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "Oren Burks 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  16. ^ "Oren Burks 2019 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "Oren Burks 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  18. ^ "Oren Burks 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  19. ^ "49ers Sign LB Oren Burks". 49ers.com. March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  20. ^ "Oren Burks 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  21. ^ "Oren Burks 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  22. ^ "Super Bowl LVIII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 11th, 2024". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  23. ^ McPherson, Chris (March 19, 2024). "Eagles sign Oren Burks to a 1-year contract". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
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