Aubrey Burks Ranked as Highest Graded Returning Big 12 Safety by PFF

WVU is expecting Aubrey Burks to take his game to another level in 2023, and at least one national outlet feels that’s a very reasonable expectation.

To go along with their previous evaluations of Burks, PFF has awarded him the highest grade among returning Big 12 safeties. Burks’ 84.9 places him as the only safety continuing an already established college career in the conference with a number above 80.

Highest graded returning Big 12 Safeties🔥 pic.twitter.com/tv2iFgbKj5

— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 3, 2023

In fact, Burks only ranks behind one player in the country (Kareem Kinchens, Miami, FL) as far as safeties in all of the Power 5.

And when you factor in his experience, how much the West Virginia secondary will rely on him and the high praise thrown his way by safeties coach Dontae Wright, there’s good reason to believe Burks can live up to the hype.

“As good as he wants to be,” is what Wright said when directly asked about the ceiling for Burks, the player the West Virginia defense will rely on to be its leader in 2023.

Wright then elaborated on his statement about Burks. “He can be a pro player or a really good college player. If he puts it all into it, he can play on Sundays,” said Wright.

WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose

Burks has already displayed a level of maturity with this year’s team. He admitted the lack of a vocal leader in the secondary was something West Virginia could never get over in 2022 after losing former Mountaineer Charles Woods in the first game of the season.

Burks is the second WVU player at the top of PFF’s preseason lists. Center Zach Frazier also ranks second for his position, ironically also behind a Hurricane.

We included Burks on our list of possible WVU products who could be 2024 NFL Draft prospects.