WVU’s Aubrey Burks Explains Favorite Part of His New Role on Defense

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Since much has been made about Aubrey Burks playing a new position in 2024, WVU’s most veteran member of the defense himself offered his own thoughts about the change on Monday. Burks talked about the adjustment and what he likes the most about his new role after fall camp practice.

Burks revealed that being able to blitz more is what he likes the most about playing a hybrid position West Virginia calls the “SPEAR.” He also explained what led to him changing roles for his final college season. In addition to WVU needing to shake things up depth wise, Burks said he asked the coaching staff for more of an opportunity to show his versatility.

WVU safety/SPEAR Aubrey Burks says he asked the coaches for an opportunity to show his versatility after last season.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 5, 2024

However, even though he wanted to show more of what he can do on the field, Burks said he’s not letting his future NFL prospects distract him from the upcoming season. To that end, Burks echoed what his teammates have said about knowing the individual accolades will come if the team wins.

After referring to 2024 as a “contract year” throughout the spring, Burks is already preparing like a professional. With the NFL in sight, Burks is manifesting his dream and doing everything he can to improve his stock as much as possible before the 2025 NFL Draft.

“I just had a talk with an NFL player recently, and I asked him about the NFL, what is it like? He said, ‘There are guys here who are really talented and really good, and there are guys here who are not as talented, but their knowledge is keeping them in the league,'” detailed Burks. “That right there lets me know if you’ve got knowledge of the game, that can make up for not running 4.4 or if you don’t jump 40 inches.

“Knowledge can take you a long way. The more you know about the game the more you can play this game. I’m not the fastest guy on the field, I’m not the biggest and I’m not going to jump the highest, but my football IQ is pretty high,” said the senior safety out of Oakridge Fla.

But before worrying about the NFL, Burks will have to learn how to adjust his game to fit in with a new strategy for the Mountaineers. Due to some changes in the secondary, Burks, who usually has the freedom to roam around as a traditional free safety, is also expected to line up near the line of scrimmage at times as well.

WVU defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley offered his opinion on how Burks is doing as West Virginia’s “SPEAR” at practices.

How is Aubrey Burks Adjusting to New Role on WVU Defense?

“I think it allows him to play the way he wants to play,” said Lesley. He also pointed out that Burks’ aggressiveness makes him a natural fit. Lesley noted being the “SPEAR” allows Burks to utilize his football IQ to his advantage.

“He is — I don’t want to say see-ball-hit-ball because Aubrey’s way, way smarter than that. But, it does allow him to use his football IQ.”

Burks will enter his senior season at West Virginia after three years 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 a loss. He also posted six pass deflections, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

For a related story, Bill Bender of the Sporting News cited concerns about the secondary as an issue for WVU during an episode of Mike Drop with Mike Asti.