Penn State commit Dayshaun Burnett plans on having some of his teammates follow in his footsteps.
Although they’re the No. 1 seed in the WPIAL Class 3A playoff bracket, the Imani Christian Academy Saints trailed No. 9 Highlands 14-0 at halftime Friday, Nov. 8, looking dead in the water after two fumbles and a turnover on downs sent their offense to the sideline empty handed again and again.
Knowing his storied high school career could end in a mere 24 minutes of clock time, senior linebacker and Penn State football commit Dayshaun Burnett knew he had to send a message to his teammates.
“That was rough. I was in the locker room, I was livid, but as my coach always says, just keep your composure,” Burnett told Nittany Sports Now. “Because the only thing that stops us is ourselves, just keep our composure and we’re going to perform. As you see, we did.”
Burnett’s teammates attested to his calm, mindful presence as a leader: sophomore running back David Davis, another Penn State target with offers from a host of Power Four programs, for example.
“As a leader he was stepping up, he kept it quiet, just locked in and focused up,” Davis said.
It’s an impressive approach for a player so young, a sign of maturity that will help Burnett (and Penn State ) as his collegiate career begins.
RECRUITING EXPERT IN THE MAKING?
Burnett said he’s already doing everything he can to give Penn State an advantage, putting it upon himself to become an informal recruiter with younger teammates like Davis or fellow Power Four target Gabe Jenkins.
“I’m pulling on their arm,” Burnett said. “They’re coming to Penn State. They just don’t know it yet.”
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Davis said he wants to play his cards close regarding his ongoing recruiting. Jenkins is a sophomore who attended the Nov. 2 game against Ohio State, meeting with Penn State Associate Head Coach and Defensive Recruiting Coordinator Terry Smith. Although he also has an upcoming visit to Michigan, Jenkins said Burnett’s dedication has him thinking.
“[He tells me] every day. Every day in school,” Jenkins said. “I’m thinking about it, I’m not even gonna lie.”
PERFECTING HIS PASS RUSH
In terms of development on the field, Burnett—who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 230 pounds—said he’s preparing for a position switch. The Saints list him at linebacker, but his frame means he could also play defensive end.
“Basically just working on my pass rush moves because I’m still pretty raw at the defensive end position,” Burnett said. “Being recruited as a linebacker, I’m going down to the defensive end spot, so just working on my pass rush moves and be able to get to the quarterback with high efficiency.”
Burnett scored two touchdowns in Imani’s comeback win, a five-yard reception off a pass from Jenkins out of the wildcat, as well as a 17 yard carry in the last two minutes to help seal the win. He said he thinks speed is an underrated facet of his game.
“It is,” he said. “Me being at 230 and running a 4.5 [40 yard dash]??” Burnett asked. “Not to toot my own horn, but that’s kinda unheard of.”
Burnett said he plans on signing with Penn State Dec. 4, the first day of the three-day early signing period. He also plans to enroll early.
