Defensive end Brian Burns has fully blossomed into a defensive superstar this season, terrorizing opposing offenses. His 18 tackles for loss are fourth-most in the entire league and his 13.0 sacks are solidly in second place. While his performance has been impressive and award-winning, he has shown the younger players, particularly Abdul Carter, what it means to be a Penn State linebacker. As Burns continues to impress, his teammates and coaches recognize the impact of his work ethic and preparation on the team’s success.
Most recently, his performances were labeled his “coming-out party,” as he asserted his dominance, brilliance and confidence on the field. His commitment extends well beyond a game day. He’s a film junkie at home too, breaking down scheme and set to create the openings that make his already gaudy stats that much better. This dedication to betterment is an example of why he is considered a role model for young players including Carter.
Carter’s coaches, both during his high school and collegiate careers, have praised the huge impact that Burns has had on him. “His response has just been amazing,” Bullen said. What he was alluding to was Carter’s incredible growth and how quickly he’s able to learn from those mistakes after those two incidents. He noted that Carter has started holding himself accountable, taking initiative to get better by working harder.
“I mean, he’s taken ownership publicly, in the building with his teammates and coaches. And then, honestly, just in terms of, like, pattern behavior, he’s doing more. He’s watching more film. He’s coming in earlier and staying later.” – Bullen
Carter’s improvement takes place at a very important time, as the demand to produce at a high level all the time increases. Kafka, one of the team’s coaches, celebrated Carter’s recent successes but reinforced the need to continue building that momentum.
“I was happy for — anytime a young player can step up and kind of start turning the page and improving. But now the challenge, just like it is for everybody, is can you do that again? You have a good game, can you stack another day? Can you stack another week? Can you stack another game?” – Kafka
That focus on delivering high-quality work matches the energy and drive across the team. Veterans such as Burns and Dexter Lawrence act as mentors for the younger players, showing them that nothing replaces hard work if you want to be successful. Lawrence stated how proud he was of Carter’s accomplishments up to this point.
“I’m happy he had his game. He had his little game,” – Dexter Lawrence
Carter respects Burns for his professionalism and discipline. He knows that there’s no better way to learn than from someone who has already been an all-star in the league. Burns’ approach is a standard to be the consummate pro in the NFL. Plus, the way he carries himself leads younger teammates to follow suit.
As the regular season unfolds, Burns has proven to be the focal point for this team’s defensive scheme. As an athlete, he’s a perfect example of how careful preparation and hard work results in an elite performance when the game is played. Even when overruled, Carter still looks up to Burns, who plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role in orchestrating wins. Best of all, he’s doing it while helping to shape the next generation of players.
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