NC State big man DJ Burns says he has ‘zero’ interest in playing football, pursuing NFL career

By SAM LANCE

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The talk surrounding NC State star center DJ Burns lately hasn’t been about his basketball game. Instead, it’s been about his potential to play in football after Jim Nagy posted that the NFL’s interest in Burns is a “real thing.”

Got texts from a GM, Ass't GM, and college director within an hour of posting this on Friday night. NFL interest in D.J. Burns is a real thing. https://t.co/lqk77d0Kx1

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 1, 2024

However, Burns put that to bed quickly at the Final Four. When he was asked about his interest in the NFL, Burns said “zero.”

“I mean, yeah, zero,” Burns said.

Even with this, a couple of Burns’ teammates said he would make a great NFL player.

“Yeah, but only on the o-line or d-line,” NC State junior guard Breon Pass said. “We talked to him about it and he said he would be a tight end, but I don’t think he could be a tight end.”

Asked if he had ever played football, DJ Burns said ‘I did until I got my first basketball’ offer from Pat Kelsey at Winthrop https://t.co/39UL2YGcbg

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 4, 2024

There are a few ex-college basketball players who made it to the NFL as tight ends, including Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzalez. However, none of those players are 6-foot-9 like Burns.

“I think that the build is there,” NC State junior guard Alex Nunnally said. “I don’t know if he could get the full football footwork in a month and a half of training camp. But if anyone could do it, it would probably be him.”

NC State coach Kevin Keatts didn’t have the same confidence in Burns as an NFL player on the podium, saying there’s “no way he’s going to play football.”

“He’s not that bully that you guys think,” Keatts said. “Listen, you spent some time with him? He’s a teddy bear off the court. That’s why I get so frustrated when they call a charge on him. He doesn’t bully you. He just goes around, he wills around you. I think he’s going to play basketball, I really do. Who doesn’t want a guy who can really pass and really score the basketball, got a great personality. No way he’s going to be a football player. I have not got any calls about that.”

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