Robert

Burns

Ah yes, the ol’ Miami-to-UConn transfer pipeline. Not exactly the most traveled in the country. Burns (5'11/225) signed on with Miami as a three-star recruit in the 2017 class, but was unable to make much hay on the depth chart during his time with the Hurricanes. He saw the field in 28 games over the course of his Miami career, but received just 47 carries scattered across that space. Even without Burns, Miami remains stocked in the running backs room, with Don Chaney and Cam’Ron Harris the two big names to know.

Burns (5'11/225), a four-star prospect out of high school, didn’t see much playing time during his Miami career. The redshirt junior appeared in 28 games from 2018-20, rushing for 189 yards on 47 carries. Burns, who also caught five passes for 47 yards and his lone college touchdown, will have up to two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop.

Burns (5'11/225) did not see much action in 2019, rushing for 116 yards on 29 carries as he was at times limited by a knee injury. No word as to what the issue that kept him sidelined for fall camp was, but he’s trending in the right direction with regard to a return to action. Miami HC Manny Diaz said after Tuesday’s practice that the team will “continue to increase his load” when asked about Burns’ progress. Cam’Ron Harris is projected to be the starter, while Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney Jr. are two other backs competing for reps. Burns’ full return, whenever that occurs, gives Miami a power option to call upon in the backfield.

Burns is a sledgehammer of a back at 225 pounds (heaviest RB on the team) and will serve as a battering ram complement to likely starter Cam’Ron Harris when healthy. Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney Jr. are additional options behind Harris. Burns rushed for 116 yards on 29 carries last season.

Burns (knee) appears to be cleared for contact after a knee surgery. He is a goal-line option for the Hurricanes, but he’s not expected to be a lead back with DeeJay Dallas at the top of the depth chart. Burns is a former three-star recruit.

While knee surgeries are generally cause for flashing alarm bells, Hurricanes HC Manny Diaz said that the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder should be healthy come August camp. This past season, Burns was essentially a non-factor statistically, receiving just two carries for 10 yards. Diaz has liked what he has seen in the redshirt sophomore’s development, development which will now have to be put on hold in the short term while Burns rehabs the knee.

Burns represents a classic case of just how wildly high school evaluations can differ. On the ESPN 300, he clocks in at a respectable No. 108 in the 2017 class. Rivals doesn’t see the equation in nearly the same manner, as they do not rank the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder among their top 250 prospects. Scout, too, leaves Burns out in the cold. The latter outlet refers to him as a “hard-nosed, physical runner.”

Burns (5'11/215) was held out for the bulk of spring practice with a shoulder injury which has been stubborn to heal. He already has something of an injury history under his belt, as he struggled with shoulder and ankle problems during his final two years in high school. Burns was a three-star recruit in the 2017 class who will bring a physical element to the backfield depth chart when he is healthy enough to contribute behind Mark Walton and Travis Homer.