Jordan Burch, EDGE, Oregon
Size:
Height: 6041
Weight: 279
Arm: 33”
Hand: 9 ½”
Accomplishments:
All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention (2023) • Five-star recruit
“Jordan Burch is a versatile DL prospect who plays with the power and athleticism to be a consistent impact three-down defender who makes contributions in the run game and as a pass rusher.”
Strengths:
Burst and linear explosion
Closing speed to ball-carrier
Strong, overall mass
Good run defender
Athletic ability
Concerns:
Inconsistent pass-rush plan
Arm length is only functional
Fights to a stalemate/shedding blocks quicker
Needs more detailed pass-rush plan
Film Analysis:
Jordan Burch has started the past two seasons, with 2023 marking his first year as a starter in head coach Dan Lanning’s defense. Burch boasts a well-proportioned, dense frame with functional arm length that allows him to overwhelm offensive linemen. He plays with immense power at the point of attack and as a pass rusher. Given his size, he offers an excellent athletic profile and has the tools to make an even greater impact in 2024.
Running the ball at Burch is a tough assignment. He generates serious pop in his hands, allowing him to shock and lock out blockers at the point of attack. He sets hard edges while maintaining outside leverage. Against quarterback zone reads, Burch displays high football IQ by staying square and playing the mesh point effectively, splitting the distance between the quarterback and the running back. He has the athleticism to track down the quarterback if they keep the ball and try to get outside. Burch is a mismatch for tight ends assigned to block him in the run game—he stacks, peeks, and sheds them with ease. His power is overwhelming, especially when combined with his ability to leverage and get underneath his opponent’s pads. He also shows good instincts in locating the ball carrier and uses his athleticism in pursuit to chase them down.
Burch’s combination of first-step quickness and power allows him to collapse the pocket, forcing quarterbacks off their spot from a variety of alignments. He rushes effectively both from a traditional hand-in-the-dirt defensive end position and as a stand-up edge defender. His smooth inside spin move gives him an effective path to the quarterback, and his speed-to-power conversion often puts offensive linemen in compromised positions. He is especially disruptive on twists and stunts—as the looper, he can bowl over interior linemen en route to the quarterback.
The main concern with Burch is his inconsistency as a pass rusher. His sack production has been underwhelming relative to his elite physical tools and natural talent. He would benefit from rushing with a more consistent plan—at times, he resembles a bull in a china shop. He relies heavily on his power rush rather than developing a more nuanced pass-rushing arsenal. Burch struggles to corner offensive linemen and flatten his path to the quarterback due to some hip stiffness. As he refines his hand counters and timing on strikes during the pass rush, he will gain quicker and more efficient access to the quarterback.
Burch projects as a versatile starting defensive lineman. He can play as a base defensive end in even fronts on early downs and shift inside on passing downs. His alignment flexibility will appeal to teams that utilize multiple defensive front schemes. With his blend of athleticism, strength, and upside, Burch has the potential to become an impactful three-down player.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Exposures: Michigan (2024), Penn State (2024), Ohio State (2024), USC (2023), Oregon State (2023), Washington (2023), Colorado (2023)
