Jermaine Burton is new to the Cincinnati Bengals. But he’s quickly become one of the biggest names in this area making waves in the NFL. Burton’s story is one of triumph and perseverance, from college to the pros.
High School/College Career*
Jermaine Demetrius Burton was born in Atlanta, Georgia on June 28, 2001, and showed athletic abilities early on. He was a high school player at Calabasas High School in California who went on to play in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game. Burton was a four-star recruit and originally committed to the University of Georgia. He had 27 catches for 404 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games during his freshman season in 2020. His best game was against Mississippi State, where he expressed for 197 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Burton was part of Georgia’s national championship team in 2021. In 2022, he committed to play for the University of Alabama for a new opportunity. He caught 79 passes for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns over two seasons with the Crimson Tide. The consistent performance only made him more of a proven pass catcher.
NFL Lifetime and Contracts
Burton was picked in the third round (80th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2024 NFL Draft. He inked a four-year, $5.82 million deal that includes a $1.05 million signing bonus. And an average yearly salary of $1.45 million. Burton’s earnings in 2024 include a base salary of $795,000 and the signing bonus, which figures to be approximately $1.85 million.
Net Worth and Endorsements
Jermaine Burton’s net worth, contract details November 2024: $5.82 million (all throughout his NFL deal.) He took part in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals during college with Six Star Pro Nutrition products as well as Life+STYLE by Laura. He earned some cash through these endorsements before going pro.
Work Conflict and You Until a couple of weeks back
Burton has shown potential during his rookie year with the Bengals, while also facing obstacles. He played 18 of 82 offensive snaps in the most recent game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Where he caught one of four targets for eight yards. His little contribution has been questioned about his position in the offence for the team.
Burton’s conduct off the field also led to formal punishment. He was a healthy scratch for a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. After he missed a walkthrough practice without telling the team, according to reports Zac Taylor called the move “the professional thing to do” in a statement about the decision. Teammates backed Burton up, including quarterback Joe Burrow pointing to the second-round rookie’s potential but acknowledging he has a ways to go.
Those struggles prompted former Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh to take Burton under his wing, sharing advice about growing up and taking advantage of a chance in the NFL. This advice is to help Burton find his way in the industry and reach his full potential.
Future Outlook
Jermaine Burton still possesses undeniable talent despite recent hiccups. Going by his college career and some of the glimpses he showed in the NFL, it should be a bright future for him. Burton is another guy who, with the right coaching and development behind him, can end up being a contributor to the Bengals for years to come. It remains to be seen how he’ll turn that potential into production, and fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on him for the next few seasons.
