Former Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett is staying in the Big 12, but not with the Wildcats. Burnett committed to the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, he announced on social media.
Kansas, led by head coach Lance Leipold and star quarterback Jalon Daniels, will face the Wildcats in Tucson in 2025.
Burnett signed with Arizona as a four-star prospect in 2022 out of Servite High School in Anaheim, California. The 6-6, 248-pound Burnett was one of four Servite players to sign with Arizona in ‘22, along with wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, quarterback Noah Fifita and linebacker Jacob Manu.
Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett (88) looks up field for room to run after making a catch over the middle against Texas Tech in the third quarter.
Burnett is the son of former Arizona linebacker and “Desert Swarm” member Chester Burnett, who was a Second-Team All-Pac-10 selection in 1996.
The younger Burnett played his first two seasons behind Tanner McLachlan, who was Arizona’s most productive tight end since Rob Gronkowski. After McLachlan went on to play in the NFL, Burnett had a productive spring and fall training camp and appeared due for a breakout junior season, but injuries hindered Burnett throughout the season.
In eight games this season, Burnett had a career-high 18 catches for 217 yards and a touchdown. His only touchdown as a Wildcat was the 35-yard dagger score in Arizona’s upset win over 10th-ranked Utah in Salt Lake City.
Burnett ended his Arizona career with 24 catches for 261 yards and a touchdown.
