Intro: Justin Burdette

Justin Burdette, a senior wide receiver at Clay Chalkville High School in Clay, Ala., led his team in receptions and second on the team in yards during his junior season. Burdette credits his quarterback for getting him the ball on mostly bubble screens and short passes.

“I need to get a little stronger, faster at the end of routes, and I need to finish off routes and get in the end-zone a little more," Justin Burdette said of areas to improve during the off-season.

Clay Chalkville started off slow in 2010, but made the playoffs. They lost in the quarterfinals to Hoover by eight.

Burdette says, “We are going to be just as good this year. We have great leadership, and new guys stepping up, and great head coach that will have us ready.”

Burdette has previously played basketball and baseball, but he decided to devote full-time to football.

“I didn’t want to be a JUCO player in basketball or baseball," he commented.

Burdette has a personal saying he looks at every morning on his mirror that says, “Be Me. I do not want to be anyone else.”

The prospect said, “I want to lead my team the way I know how to do.”

Burdette is not your particular senior when looking at colleges.

“I want to go somewhere where I will have playing time, but I am looking to get redshirted first year," he said. "Every off season I gain 20 pounds. I’m not looking at what I can be my first year, but two or three years down the road.”

Burdette attended two junior day programs at Alabama and Mississippi State.

“Both of these were a great experience, and I will take this experience into future combines," he explained.

Burdette wanted to attend Mississippi State’s spring game, but the ACT got in the way. He has attended spring games at Mississippi State and Auburn in the past.

“It’s my senior year, and I am trying to go wherever I can go," he stated.

Burdette has yet to receive any scholarship offers, but he has received letters from Alabama, Mississippi State, and Wofford. He said MSU really wants him in camp this summer, and his dream school to attend is Mississippi State or Hawaii.

Burdette has a few former teammates and friends who play college football including Auburn’s LaDarius Owens and Alabama’s Quinton Dial.

Burdette says “I want to continue to be a student of the game and continue to get better each year."

Clay-Chalkville begins spring practice April 21st on the days of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.