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DJ Burks
- Position:
- DB
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 200
- Class:
- Redshirt Senior
- Hometown:
- Maryville, Tenn.
- High School:
- Maryville
CAREER
Local safety with significant experience who returns to East Tennessee after spending the past four seasons at Appalachian State … Was an instrumental part of Maryville High School’s success before signing with App State … Enrolled at Tennessee in January 2026 for his final collegiate season … Played in 40 games with 13 starts … Collected 133 tackles, 63 solo, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumble and five pass breakups in his four seasons at App State … Has seen action on 1,114 defensive snaps.2025 – RS-JUNIOR (APP STATE)
Starting safety who played in 13 games and started the final six games of the year … Ranked third on the team in tackles with 73, including 34 solo … Also had one tackle for loss, two interceptions, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles … Played 600 defensive snaps … Back-to-back nine-tackle games against Marshall (11/22) and Arkansas State (11/29) … Also forced a fumble vs. ASU … Collected 11 tackles against James Madison (11/15) … Produced a season-high 12 tackles vs. Georgia Southern (11/6) and broke up one pass … Finished with seven tackles and two PBUs against Old Dominion (10/25) … Had three tackles and an interception at Southern Miss (9/13) … Returned an interception 25 yards, forced a fumble and recorded one tackle for loss vs. Lindenwood (9/6).2024 – RS-SOPHOMORE (APP STATE)
A starting safety in his third season with the program … Played in 11 games with seven starts – one at strong safety and the final six at free safety … Ranked second on the team with 58 tackles and added three tackles for loss … Also contributed in special teams coverage … Saw action on 473 defensive snaps and allowed only one touchdown on 249 coverage snaps … Produced a career-best 14 tackles in his first career start against South Alabama (9/19) … Back-to-back five-tackle games vs. Georgia Southern (11/30) and James Madison (11/23) … Logged six tackles apiece against Coastal Carolina (11/7) and Old Dominion (11/2) … Finished with six tackles and one tackle for loss against Clemson (9/7) … Had eight tackles vs. East Carolina (9/14).2023 – RS-FRESHMAN (APP STATE)
Played in all 14 games, contributing at safety and on special teams … Made two tackles and had one quarterback hurry … Logged 37 defensive snaps and 98 special teams snaps … Had one tackle apiece against Gardner-Webb (9/2) and Georgia Southern (11/25).2022 – FRESHMAN (APP STATE)
Appeared in two games, playing free safety against Robert Morris and Old Dominion … Earned a redshirt.HIGH SCHOOL & PERSONAL
Helped Maryville go 53-4 over four seasons with a 6A state championship as a sophomore … Finished career with 150-plus tackles and 15 interceptions as a two-way standout … As a senior, the all-region selection helped Maryville go 13-1 and reach the 6-A state title game … Totaled 59 tackles and one interception in 2021 … All-state performer with 101 tackles and nine interceptions as a junior, when Maryville reached the state semifinals and finished 13-1 … Also scored five offensive touchdowns (four as a receiver) in 2020 … Recorded three interceptions during Maryville’s championship season in 2019 … Coached by Derek Hunt at Maryville … Three-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings … Instagram handle is @dj.burks … X handle is @dj1burksFB | Music City Bowl Postgame Press Conference (12.30.25)
Tuesday, December 30
FB | Joey Halzle & William Inge Music City Bowl Preview Press Conference (12.29.25)
Monday, December 29
FB | Josh Heupel Music City Bowl Preview Press Conference (12.29.25)
Monday, December 29
FB | DeSean Bishop Media Availability (12.27.25)
Saturday, December 27
