Aubrey Burks Debunks Offseason Rumors, Refers to 2024 Season as ‘Contract Year’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Aubrey Burks opened up about his final season as a Mountaineer, his future and even the winter rumors during his first press conference with the media since the end of 2023 season.

Burks referred to the upcoming 2024 season as a “contract year” for him in his career. The veteran safety then added that head coach Neal Brown used that label with him as a way to emphasize the importance his last college season.

When I asked WVU S Aubrey Burks about his current mental space after the roller coaster of last season, he said he’s good and refers to this year as a “contract year” for him.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) March 27, 2024

While Burks did also say every season is a “contract year” in this climate, but 2024 is different because it will be his last college season and his plan was always to make it to the NFL above all else. The Oakridge, Fla. native also used the topic of NIL money to debunk the past speculation about his possible transfer to another program.

Burks said he stayed at West Virginia due to being comfortable. He elaborated that he did not want to have to learn a new coaching staff. According to Burks, far more was made about him possibly leaving in than was ever actually the case.

But now that all of the speculation is behind him, Burks is focused on finishing out his time as a Mountaineer on the best note possible. However, in order for Burks to continue to progress as a player and be a leader for the WVU defense, he knew he had to get in the right head space again. On the status of his mental health, Burks made it clear he is in “good” spirits and fully ready to go after dealing with the roller coaster of emotions of a 2023 season that was derailed by an early season injury.

Aubrey Burks will enter his senior season at West Virginia after three seasons with the program. The versatile safety has appeared in 29 games for the Mountaineers and played in 12 this past season. Burks recorded 48 total tackles with four being for loss. He also posted our interceptions with a forced fumble.