University of Massachusets Athletics
Burris hits hard as Minutemen gear for title run
August 16, 2007 | Football
Aug. 16, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. - It's a delight to watch when a local product goes on to college and helps his team succeed on a big stage.
Such is the case with Southbridge native David Burris, a defensive end at UMass, who led the team in sacks (8-1/2) and tackles for losses (16) last season.
Burris, a senior, made the team as a walk-on in 2004 and immediately was switched from linebacker to defensive end. That year, Burris made seven starts and never relinquished his starting job.
While always effective, the 6-foot, 242-pound end didn't break out until last season, when he recorded 77 tackles and emerged as a defensive leader as the Minutemen went 13-2 and advanced to the NCAA Division 1-AA championship game.
"David has taken himself to a point where last year he was an all-conference player," coach Don Brown said. "This year, I would think he's got to be looked at as one of top defensive ends in our league."
Echoing Brown's support, Burris has been named to the preseason all-star team in the Colonial Athletic Association, formerly the Atlantic 10. The teams are the same, but the CAA has assumed management of the conference.
Brown used the words bright, articulate, sharp, physical and fast to describe his star pass-rusher. "Those are all good qualities as far as I'm concerned," Brown said. "We're really expecting big things from him, and he's kind of the anchor of that line."
As the chronology of his UMass career attests, Burris has taken a workmanlike approach while preparing for this season. During the summer, Burris could be seen every day at the YMCA in Southbridge doing two-a-day workouts.
"It starts with treating your body right and working out every day," Burris said. "During the offseason, we work so, so hard, lifting every day. You just have to stay focused and know that everything you do is going to help you out in the long run."
The Southbridge High graduate will attest that his duty on the defensive line is two-fold. He expects to act as a leader on his line, while also providing results on the field.
"As a leader, being one of the only two seniors on the defensive line, I feel I need to be more vocal with the younger guys and let them know what I've learned in the past," Burris said. "There are always things to learn and things you can do to prove yourself. I take it one day at a time and try to do everything better than the day before."
Though still close in size to the linebackers, Burris always has used his sound technique, explosiveness and constant motor to wreak havoc in the opposing backfield.
However, it may be Burris' overachieving personality that is his most valuable weapon.
"I expect myself to be perfect. Even though nobody can be perfect, that's the mentality you have to have," Burris said. "I want to dominate everybody in front of me and just give 110 percent."
Another notable veteran from Central Mass. is Ryan Logan, a reserve receiver whom Brown said is battling fellow junior Brett Arnold for the punting job. Logan would replace all-time UMass leader Christian Koegel.
Logan, a graduate of Fitchburg High, also plans to get more time on the field as a receiver by using his size (6-2, 217) to separate himself as a blocker.
Also from Central Mass. is St. John's alum Eric Dickson, a sophomore special teams ace and reserve safety.
Led by Burris, the trio can proudly say they were a part of last year's powerhouse team, which lost to Appalachian State in the national championship game.
"Last year was definitely a privilege to get as far as we did," Burris said. "When the final game came, it was like all my years of football finally paid off."
Burris plans to use last season's experience as further motivation.
"I feel like last year wasn't a total disappointment because we got as far as we did, but when we lost, it made me feel like there was still stuff to be done, and my journey wasn't complete at UMass just yet," he said.
Though Brown said the Minutemen's No. 3 preseason ranking means nothing, Logan is confident they can make a return trip to the title game.
Adding arguably the top two tailback prospects from Central Mass. can't hurt as the Minutemen try to offset the loss of standout running back Steve Baylark (2,197 all-purpose yards, 18 TDs in 2006).
Leominster's Jonathan Hernandez and Holy Name's Emil Igwenagu will vie for repetitions behind veterans Matt Lawrence and Tony Nelson, who have taken the youngsters under their wing.
"Matt and Tony are two great backs, and I've learned a lot from them," Hernandez said. "Every day at practice, I just watch them, and they keep on showing me what to do."
"Jon is going to do anything you ask him to, and Emil, he's bigger than me now, and it took me five years to get as big as I am now," Lawrence said of the T&G Super Teamers. "These guys want to play football."
The soft-spoken Igwenagu will, for now, be used only as a running back, but he also could be used at linebacker, should the need present itself.
"It doesn't matter to me, as long as I'm helping out and doing what I can," said Igwenagu, who is adjusting from the double wing at Holy Name to UMass' multiple system.
As the season plays out, Burris should establish himself as one of the best players on a title-contending team, but the potential contributions from Logan, Dickson, Igwenagu and Hernandez can't be downplayed because, as Brown stressed, every player matters.
"It's nice coming from Central Mass., to be able to play in a big Division 1 program. It's an honor," Logan said.
With plenty of talent returning, the Minutemen could find themselves again in the national title game, and Burris with a chance to end his career the way he'd like.
