Standout Mizzou receiver Luther Burden declares for the 2025 NFL Draft

Just two days after the Missouri Tigers' final regular-season game of the year, superstar wide receiver Luther Burden III announced Monday that he is officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.

This comes as no surprise to the program or fanbase, as the decision had been expected for years. Ever since Burden arrived on campus in 2022, it was clear that he would likely turn professional at his first opportunity.

Burden will ultimately go down as one of the most impactful players to ever suit up for the Missouri Tigers, as his commitment jump-started Eli Drinkwitz's program.

"I just want to be remembered as a player who can change a program," Burden said, "and give other people hope to come to Mizzou. You don’t have to go to the top schools. You can make your way. I wanted to be different."

Ever since stepping foot on Faurot Field, Burden has been extremely productive for Mizzou, helping lead the team to a 20-5 record over the past two seasons. He’s ranked No. 6 on the program’s all-time receiving list (2,263 yards), tied for No. 5 in receiving touchdowns (21), and No. 4 in receptions (192).

NFL draft insiders have Burden as a consensus top-3 receiver, with the potential to be the first wideout taken in the 2025 draft.

With his decision to declare for the draft, it was also made official that Burden will not play in Mizzou’s bowl game, another decision that is not surprising. With the talent he possesses, risking any sort of injury was never an option. Burden, however, made it abundantly clear that this decision is in no way related to his relationship with the program.

"The ultimate goal was to come here and make a difference," Burden said. "I feel like I met my goal with everything I set out to do before I got here. It was a pleasure being here. I will love Mizzou forever."