When Kirby Smart hosts a 5-star recruit and that player commits to another program just days after a trip to Athens, it’s noteworthy. It’s the type of thing that makes even the non-recruiting-obsessed crowd step back and take note.

Well, Luther Burden III has been making everyone take note since the day that he committed to Mizzou.

Burden became Mizzou’s 2nd-highest-rated recruit in the 247sports rankings era behind only Dorial Green-Beckham, who also opted to stay in-state as the nation’s top receiver back in 2012. (OK, technically Burden was just across the river in East St. Louis, Illinois, but … same thing.) Burden called his pledge to Mizzou “a family decision” and added that he had his mind made up the weekend before he visited Georgia (H/T Power Mizzou).

Contrary to what some speculated at the time of the announcement, Georgia didn’t swoop in and flip Burden at the 11th hour. He stayed true to Mizzou, and Mizzou stayed true to him. Not only did Burden start from the jump as a true freshman, but ahead of his sophomore season, the Tigers moved the 5-11 wideout to his more natural position in the slot after Dominic Lovett transferred to, ironically enough, Georgia.

To say the rewards have been great would be an understatement.

Through 8 games, Burden has 61 catches and 905 receiving yards, both of which are among the top 6 nationally. In addition to leading the nation with 717 receiving yards out of the slot (H/T PFF), Burden already bested Green-Beckham’s 14-game totals in receptions (59) and receiving yards (883) from his breakout 2013 season. That 2013 season was the last time that Mizzou started 7-1. That is, until Burden led the Tigers to a 7-1 start in 2023.

The question is no longer about whether Georgia will flip Burden or whether he can live up to the hype. It’s whether the Dawgs can corral him this time and keep control of the SEC East.

Of course, by “corral,” I mean in a football sense. Any world in which Mizzou goes into Athens and hands the Dawgs their first home loss since 2019 includes Burden giving Georgia even more “one that got away” vibes.

Yes, Georgia fans. We’re all well aware that the Dawgs are loaded at receiver and the whole “25-game winning streak” thing suggests that the Dawgs are doing just fine without Burden. But if Burden is the best player on the field in a down-to-the-wire game in which a division title is on the line, well, let’s just say there’ll be some angst from the home crowd.

Alternatively, Georgia can keep Burden quiet and continue its warpath to a 3-peat.

So far, Smart’s defense has handled the passing game well. Spencer Rattler’s 256 passing yards were the most against UGA this season, and no opposing receiver hit the century mark. Ricky Pearsall just became the first receiver to exceed 86 yards, though 64 of his 99 yards came in the second half when UGA was already out to a 3-score lead.

The Dawgs rank No. 4 in FBS in yards/pass attempt allowed and they’re No. 10 in opposing quarterback rating. They only surrendered 5 passing plays of 30 yards (T-No. 3 in FBS). Burden alone has nearly twice as many (9) 30-yard catches. Consider that another reason this is Georgia’s toughest receiver matchup of the season. If you look at how each opponent’s primary slot receiver performed against Georgia, you’ll see that this is easily Burden’s toughest matchup, as well:

  • vs. UT-Martin — DeVonte Tanksley, 2 catches for 3 yards, 0 TDs
  • vs. Ball State — Qian Magwood, 5 catches for 32 yards, 0 TDs
  • vs. South Carolina — Xavier Legette, 7 catches for 71 yards, 0 TDs (primary slot WR Ahmarean Brown was out with a leg injury)
  • vs. UAB — Amare Thomas, 9 catches for 60 yards, 1 TD
  • at Auburn — Jay Fair, 3 catches for 12 yards, 0 TDs
  • vs. Kentucky — Tayvion Robinson, 2 catches for 9 yards, 0 TDs
  • at Vanderbilt — Jayden McGowan, 5 catches for 58 yards, 0 TDs
  • vs. Florida (in Jacksonville) —Ricky Pearsall, 6 catches for 99 yards, 0 TDs
  • Average — 4.9 catches for 43 yards

And for what it’s worth, that 1 receiving touchdown among primary slot receivers came when Thomas was lined up on the outside, not in the slot.

That’s not an exact number for production allowed to the slot, but at the very least, this a challenging matchup for Burden, who hit 96 receiving yards in 7 of 8 games this year. He figures to see plenty of coverage from former West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith, who has been a breakout player in the “Star” position after dealing with injury issues in his first 2 seasons at UGA. Smith only allowed 4.1 yards per target this season (H/T Jake Rowe).

Mizzou may recognize the need to move Burden around a bit more than usual, much like we saw Florida do early on with true freshman Tre Wilson. It would be a pretty significant shakeup for Burden, who only averaged 6 outside snaps per game this season compared to 41 in the slot. Mizzou receiver Theo Wease will also occasionally get reps in the slot, though about 78% of his snaps have come on the outside. Wease has been the ideal complement to Burden this season.

One would think that would need to continue in any sort of upset scenario on Saturday. If Mizzou’s hopes are pinned on Burden getting loose for 60 minutes, that might not be a successful blueprint against a Georgia defense that’s been hearing about him all week. Shoot, for all we know, UGA has been watching Burden’s breakout season from afar with frustration that it’s not happening in Athens.

Burden will make his first trip to Athens since that official visit in 2021. It’s probably strange for him to look back at some of these pictures knowing that he committed to Mizzou — and stayed committed — just a few days later.

On Saturday, Burden won’t have Sanford Stadium to himself. The vast majority of the people in attendance will know Burden as the star receiver who turned down Georgia for Mizzou. That much is obvious.

Whether Burden will be known as the guy who broke UGA hearts again, well, tune in Saturday afternoon.