Aaron Burbridge: Rising to the Top

Oct. 27, 2015

By Jon Hevron, MSU Athletic Communications Staff Assistant

The journey to the playing field has a myriad of obstacles to overcome and countless paths to take. The story of the walk-on working his way into a first-round draft pick has been told, but what about the player that was the top recruit coming out of high school?

For senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge, the road to being the offense's standout receiver hasn't always been a fairy tale, but has a good ending nonetheless.

Burbridge came to East Lansing ranked the top recruit in the state of Michigan, along with receiving numerous national accolades for his ability on the field. For someone to have such talent and the incredible drive to succeed, it may shock you that football was not Burbridge's true passion.

"I thought I was a hooper," Burbridge shared. "Growing up, I always played basketball. I only started playing football because I had no one to hang out with after school since all of my friends were playing football."

Age 12 was the first time Burbridge put on a pair of shoulder pads and strapped up his chinstrap. Representing East Middle School in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the speedy MSU wide receiver began his career as a feature tailback.

"I loved played running back," said Burbridge. "You get to touch the ball most every play. I was definitely a speed back that always looked to avoid contact."

Entering high school, Burbridge went down the street from his childhood home to Farmington Hills Harrison, which is known across the state of Michigan for its historical football program. The Hawks boast 13 state titles, including the 2010 crown that featured an eight-reception, two-touchdown performance by Burbridge.

"I knew I had to switch positions because Harrison had a lot of good running backs," Burbridge explained. "I figured since I could catch the ball pretty well and had speed, receiver would be a good fit. I just wanted to be on the field."

Numerous All-America and all-state honors later, Burbridge found himself being recruited by some of the nation's top programs. However, throughout the process, it was wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel and head coach Mark Dantonio that never gave up on the four-star recruit.

"Michigan State showed me the most love throughout the whole thing," remembered Burbridge.

Once on campus, Burbridge was ready to emerge as one of the Spartans' top receivers, and East Lansing was ready for him to live up to the hype.

"My first game, we were up at Central Michigan (in 2012) and were blowing them out," Burbridge said. "Coach (Dantonio) asked Macgarrett (Kings Jr.) and me if we want to play, and we looked at each other like ‘Heck Yes!' The rest is history."

After a few games of little action, Burbridge began showing flashes of his talent in Week 5 of his freshman campaign at Indiana. He recorded the most receiving yards ever by a Spartan true freshman with 134 on eight catches and helped the Spartans to a win over the Hoosiers.

Entering his sophomore season, there was a buzz around Burbridge and what he could bring to the Michigan State offense. But the fairytale didn't look so magical as the season progressed.

"I lost my starting spot my sophomore year, and that was completely on me," explained Burbridge. "I wasn't ready to play and I needed to learn a lot more. When Coach Samuel told me, I wasn't upset. I knew I needed to learn from it and from the guys in front of me."

The work ethic and quiet personality instilled in Burbridge from his mother began to take over, as he worked his way back into a starting role.

"There is always something I can be working on," Burbridge shared. "You are never done learning, and there is always a way to get better. I've learned that you need to play every play like it's your last, and that way you don't have any regrets."

Burbridge's tale unfortunately took another downward swing in the spring of 2015. After suffering a foot injury and being sidelined for the majority of spring practice, Burbridge did the only thing he knew how â€" work his way back.

"The biggest thing for Aaron is that there is nothing different for him," said Samuel about the senior. "He feels completely comfortable, and he feels good about coming to school, coming into the office and being in this environment. He just goes out and plays, and that is what he has done. It is exciting to see when an individual has no outside distractions and can focus on football."

And focus Burbridge has. He has emerged as MSU's top receiver and has already achieved career highs in receptions (52), receiving yards (830) and touchdown catches (5) just eight games into the season. He was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after tying a school record with three touchdown receptions against Air Force in Week 3, and collected a career-high 10 catches for 156 yards in the win at Rutgers in Week 6.

"When you are playing receiver, it's one-on-one," said Burbridge, who played a critical role in MSU's win at Michigan with nine receptions for 132 yards. "You are on an island, and if you are too busy overthinking then you won't be as fast and will doubt your ability. You just have to go out there with confidence and have fun.

"If you put pressure on yourself, you will just mess up, which is why I plan on just having fun in my senior year. Connor (Cook) trusts us (the receviers) and the coaches trust us. We just have to go out there and make plays."

No. 16 sure has made his share of plays in 2015, as he leads the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards to go along with his six 100-yard performances. With a defender in his face, leaping at the pylon or just beating his man, Burbridge has found a way to get it done thus far.

"I just want to be remembered as a playmaker," Burbridge exclaimed. "When No. 16 is called on, I want it to be for anything, a first down or touchdown, and you know that I'll make the play."

With his senior season half way in the books, Burbridge has started to reminisce a little bit about his four years as a Spartan and what exactly that has meant to him.

"Being here has been great for me," he said. "MSU has changed my life. I wasn't always the most social person, but now I am more outgoing and mature. I have met a lot of new people that will be lifelong friends."

In addition to meeting new friends, Burbridge has found something that was void in his life.

"I never really had a traditional father figure, and seeing how Coach Samuel interacts with his family, I know that I want to be like him," Burbridge remarked. "He is always there for us and his family."

The story of Aaron Burbridge is ongoing, but one thing you can always count on is that when an obstacle arises in No. 16's way, he finds a way to overcome it.

"I know that I don't talk much, but when I do people want to listen," Burbridge said. "I want to impact others with my story and lift them up. I've been able to be around good people, family and my mom, who is always there with a helping hand."

And just in case you were curious, Burbridge can still be found on the hardwood when he isn't hauling in touchdown passes from Cook.

"If I had to name a starting five off the football team, it would have to be myself, at guard, and then Demetrious Cox, (Trevon) Pendleton, Macgarrett (Kings Jr.) and Paul Andrie."

This feature was originally published in the Oct. 24 edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine.