By Todd Bradley, DCSportsFan.com
MaxPreps.com
Kevin Burgess started as a freshman on Dunbar’s varsity football team in 2005, helping the Crimson Tide achieve a 9-2 record and the DCIAA title. Now entering his senior season, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound middle linebacker is expected to take on an important lead role.
Burgess, who is one of just 10 four-year players in the Dunbar program over the past 12 years, is known for his exceptional tackling ability, football smarts and his disciplined approach.
“Kevin is a smart football player. He understands the game and figures out how to get to the ball carrier,” Dunbar head coach Craig Jeffries said. “Last year we had two Division I defensive linemen in Reggie Ellis (Illinois) and Ugo Uzodinma (Virginia). Despite having two guys ahead of him, Burgess still made a lot of tackles and could beat his two teammates to the ball.”
According to Jeffries, Burgess piled up 139 tackles as a junior, attracting the likes of Eastern Michigan, Syracuse, Michigan State and Maryland. Some of those schools see him playing safety – a potential adjustment that his coach doesn’t see as an issue.
“I don’t see this as a problem for Kevin. He’s always improving. He’s always there ahead of the game, ahead of where he was last year,” Jeffries said. “He’s a kid who will step up his game and go to the next level, unlike lots of kids who stay the same after a good year or drop back some.
“He prepares himself physically and mentally to make plays. He listens. He is a good student of the game. Kevin will study the tapes and then counter what his opponents are going to try to do. Other kids aren’t as interested in watching a tape and in coming up with a plan, but Kevin thrives on it.”
With Dunbar winning 10 Turkey Bowl championships in the past 12 years, Jeffries projects the Crimson Tide to be in the hunt for the 11th with his star middle linebacker leading the way.