Alabama punter James Burnip is among the best prospects at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft. Burnip was one of two punters invited to both this year's Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. That strongly indicates he's among the few specialists slated to be drafted.

Burnip recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Burnip discussed his experience at both the combine and Senior Bowl, directional punting, why he's a field-flipping weapon, and more.

JM: You recently participated in this year's Senior Bowl. What was that overall experience like?

James Burnip: It was awesome. I appreciated the opportunity to get down there and compete against the best of the best in the nation coming out of this draft. Getting around NFL personnel and like-minded draft prospects was a super cool experience. It was great. I embraced and enjoyed it. I’m loving the pre-draft process.

JM: You took full advantage of the opportunity. What do you think you proved to scouts and GMs in attendance?

James Burnip: I think I proved a lot with my basic punting. I’m able to punt directionally. I was able to get lots of hangtime on the ball. I punted it far down the field and flipped that field for our defense.

JM: You did that at a high level. When it comes to that directional punting, what have you shown the scouts through the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine?

James Burnip: I’m able to limit a returner’s ability to make an impact. If I put that ball on the sideline, his potential movements are limited to laterally one way or right up the field. I eliminate half of the field. The returner doesn’t have much to work with when I execute a directional punt.

The returner is often one of the best athletes on the team. I can’t allow him to swing momentum. Throughout both showcases, I did a great job putting that ball on the sideline.

JM: You were also one of few specialists invited to this year's NFL Combine. What was that participation like?

James Burnip: It was really cool. I was one of two punters invited to the NFL Combine. The other was Florida punter Jeremy Crenshaw, who was with me at the Senior Bowl. It was cool to go through that NFL Combine process, the interviews, and the medicals.

We attended the specialist showcase as well, which is something they do on the side for kickers, punters, and long snappers at the NFL Combine. It was a great experience. I was happy to be invited. I felt very blessed. I’m fortunate to be in this position.

I showcased my punting abilities in front of the NFL personnel in attendance. It was a big week for me.

JM: You probably met with all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl. Did you have any follow-up meetings at the combine?

James Burnip: The way it worked with the specialists at the NFL Combine, all of the special teams coaches were at tables. There were like six or seven coaches per table. You went around the table in rapid-fire fashion.

I didn’t meet personally with every single special teams coach, but I had a lot of great conversations and shaked some important hands. We’re building those connections as the draft approaches.

JM: Did any of those follow-up meetings stick out?

James Burnip: There were a bunch of them. Probably nothing specific, it was a lot of rapid fire. We were in and out rather quickly.

JM: We've appreciated your time today. Why should a team use one of their draft picks on James Burnip?

James Burnip: I’m a weapon at the specialist position. When it comes down to it, I’m a punter who can consistently flip the field and put our defense in the best position possible. It’s about helping our defense force a three-and-out.

At the end of the day, football is a battle of field position. It’s a back-and-forth battle. The punter with a better net or a better average, typically that team is going to benefit from their starting field position.

I will consistently flip the field with hang-time and directional punts. I’m set up for success at the next level.