Arizona football held its media-day event Sunday, and it was the first time incoming freshmen and newcomers were made available to reporters.
Throughout the week, Star reporters Michael Lev and Zack Rosenblatt will bring you a Q&A with a different newcomer.
Today’s subject: freshman Lorenzo Burns, who has the length and athleticism to develop into a productive Pac-12 cornerback.
BIO BASICS:
- Height/weight: 5-10, 165
- Position: Cornerback
- From: Murrieta, California
- Rating: 3 stars (Scout.com)
LORENZO SAYS:
On playing multiple positions in high school at Linfield Christian: “I played quarterback, wide receiver, corner, punt return, kickoff return. I was the holder for PATs. What else? And then nickel back.”
On settling in at cornerback: “Coming out of high school, I was always told I’d be a good corner in college. My heart was originally at receiver. I just loved playing it since I was young. But when I started to go to camps, I started getting recruited as a corner. I started realizing maybe that’s where I should start really focusing. I’ve really taken a big liking to it.”
On growing up in a football household with his dad, DeChon, who used to coach in the NFL and is now the coach at Linfield: “It was really competitive. My brother (Simeon) and I, he would put helmets on us. We would go outside and hit each other. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not everybody has that. Being able to go and watch the Washington Redskins practice. Him coming back and telling us coverages and just talking football in general. It really gave us an inside track on the game of football.”
On why he decided to attend Arizona: “The fact that they were honest with me. They kept me inside the loop. I never felt like I was on the outside looking in. When the whole coaching staff got changed, they let me know right away. That was the difference.”
On the coaches who helped reel him in: “Donté (Williams) was recruiting me at San Jose (State). Coach (Jahmile) Addae, when I took my visit here, I had a good conversation with him. He was initially the corners coach. As soon as that change happened, he let me know. As soon as Donté came aboard, he called me and let me know he was going to be my coach.”
On what he has learned from Williams: “This game’s like a business. Every day I step on the field, it’s like a job interview. I can’t take it for granted. I have to come with my A-game every day. I have to be smart off the field too. There are some people who are out to get football players. When we step off the field, we have to represent ourselves and our family.”
