Miami cornerback Artie Burns was a four-star recruit before he stepped on campus at Miami in 2013. He was rated the No. 10--best corner in the country by ESPNU and was a 2013 Under Armor All-American. Burns saw action in 11 out of 13 games in his freshman season, totaling 17 tackles, 3 pass break-ups and 26.1 yards on his 10 kickoff returns while splitting time on both defense and special teams. The former-Hurricane recorded his first starts in the 2014 season, piling 40 tackles and 5 PBU's. Burns then went on to complete his junior campaign posting six interceptions, the most the ACC has seen since Sean Taylor in 2003 who picked-off 10. He also had six pass break-ups and earned a spot on the 2015 All-ACC Second-Team.
The Basics
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 193 lbs
40 Yard Dash: 4.46
Arm Length: 33 1/4"
Vertical: 31.5"
How He Compares To Other Cornerbacks
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (6'1", 199 lbs): 4.40 40 yard dash
William Jackson III, CB, Houston (6'0", 189 lbs): 4.37 40 yard dash
Maurice Canady, CB, Virginia (6'1", 193 lbs): 4.49 40 yard dash
James Bradberry, CB, Samford (6'1", 211 lbs): 4.40 40 yard dash
Positives
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Burns is a lengthy, athletically gifted athlete with a vast catch radius
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Seems to have a knack for disrupting passes and can take a ball the distance after the catch
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Has the size and speed combination you desire in a cornerback - one of the top 60-meter hurdlers in college track and field
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At times, he showcases quickness to close the gap and make a play on the football
Negatives
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The tape is outrageously hot and cold - extremely raw prospect who tends to get grabby on routes
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Plays with minimal effort at times and has an extremely small amount of bend - the drive to be great is not something you can teach
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Won't be the guy to fight off a blocker and then make a hard-nosed tackle
Conclusion
Burns' game-film is very disappointing, however scouts see traits and a foundation they can build on. Burns saw a lot of rotational work in the 2015 season, which is a part of why he is a unfinished product and will need extra grooming in the NFL. He possesses the frame, ball skills and athleticism to be a more than valuable asset at the next level. With the right coaching, and not being thrown into the fire right away, Burns could evolve into a freakish cornerback - instilling fear in receivers.
Draft Projection: 2nd