For FSU DE Brian Burns, there was 'something to prove' in Year 1

Back in August, when Florida State was starting preseason camp, Jimbo Fisher was asked about any potential freshman standouts.

Fisher had options, considering he and his staff had signed the No. 2 class in the nation, according to Rivals. Some recruiting analysts rated it at No. 1.

Fisher listed a few different players that day, but kept coming back to defensive end Brian Burns.

Turns out, there was a reason. Burns was arguably the best freshman in the nation at his position in 2016, and he did it coming off the bench. His 9.5 sacks ranked second on the team but the most of any first-year player in America. Burns finished with 10.5 tackles for loss.

All of this led to him being named a first-team Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. It also creates the notion Burns could be the heir apparent to DeMarcus Walker as the Seminoles' top pass-rusher, and also FSU's next superstar in waiting.

It was quite a debut season for a player who felt like he was overlooked by some despite his many accomplishments in high school.

"I try not to pay attention to all of the outsiders, but coming in, I'd keep hearing how I'd redshirt or I was too small, too light," Burns said. "'He won't be able to play at this level this year,' and everything like that. In my mind, I didn't come into the defense talking any junk.

"I came to work, and I had something to prove. I had to prove I was able to play on the field."

Rivals rated Burns as a four-star prospect. He came to FSU standing 6-foot-5, which is an ideal height for a defensive end, but he weighed only 218 pounds. That left many wondering if he would be strong enough to immediately battle 300-pound offensive linemen.