Jordan Hamm
It’s a full-circle moment for Denzel Burke.
The kid that grew up going to Cardinal games in a Patrick Peterson jersey is now patrolling the same field as a player himself. The fifth-round pick and Arizona native’s journey to join the Bird Gang came from constant competition at his previous stops.
The defensive back made a name for himself at Brophy College Prep and Saguaro High School. While playing with the Sabercats, he learned from the likes of Kelee Ringo, Jacobe Covington and Cameron Nash in the secondary. While he was the younger guy in that group, he met and exceeded the standard set by his older teammates.
“We came every day with our heads up, ready to compete and kinda helped me for the next level,” Burke said.
Burke continued to get battle-tested against Big Ten opponents while at Ohio State. Perhaps his biggest tests, though, came in practice, having to cover five 1st round wide receivers in his time with the Buckeyes.
BIA ! The truth dont need motivation..
Thank you Jesus for this game! pic.twitter.com/QJyAVkP5Rw
— Denzel Burke (@DenzelBurke10) January 5, 2024
“(There was) a lot of trash-talk, getting after each other, getting each other better.” Burke said. “Practice is really high and intense so you had to come ready. Strap your helmet and be ready to ball.”
That training stood out to the Cardinals in the draft process. The organization feels confident they are bringing in a player and person that aligns with their vision.
“Really good guy, really smart,” head coach Jonathan Gannon said. “He’s played at the highest level. He’s played a lot of ball. Thought he was a scheme fit, thought he was a Cardinal. We felt really good about adding him where we added him.”
He’s been forced to rise to the level of his competition. He’s also had to work through adversity. He was forced to sit out his senior at Saguaro due to injury. While sidelined, he continued to try to improve mentally as a player. In Ohio State’s loss to Oregon this past year, it was the only time Burke had allowed over 100 yards to a receiver in his career.
He took that information and grew from it, becoming a key part of Ohio State’s run to a national title.
“You have to have amnesia especially playing corner, especially playing in the NFL,” Burke said. “(There are) a lot of great guys you’re going against weekly. It’s important to put your best foot forward and knowing some guys are going to miss some reps. You have to keep going and make sure you win the majority of the reps.”
Now he’ll look to rise to a new standard in the NFL.
