Last month USC lost receivers coach Bryan McClendon to Oregon. After shuffling some things around, Will Muschamp eventually put newly hired Joe Cox in the position, and that seems to be a good move as it pertains to receiver prospect Derwin Burgess of Atlanta.
Cox coached receivers at Colorado State under Mike Bobo before joining him in Columbia. In recruiting Burgess, his familiarity with the offense has proven to be a positive.
“I’ve really gotten close with Coach Cox and Coach Bobo,” Burgess said. “Coach Cox was more familiar with the play-calling from Coach Bobo, more familiar than Coach McClendon because he actually played in that system. They try and compare me to Deebo (Samuel.) They’d play me in the slot, line up outside, anywhere really.”
Burgess visited USC in March and had planned a return visit until Covid-19 killed in-person recruiting in the spring and summer. So, he’s been doing the long-distance recruiting thing with the Gamecocks and others, and at this point a small group has emerged as most interested in getting him in their program.
“I’ve been trying to narrow it down, but it’s not narrowing it down like within a top five, a top three or a top ten,” Burgess said. “It’s all on the same level, like who has been consistent with hitting me up the most. South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Coastal, Florida State and Tennessee are the ones that’s been talking to me.”
Burgess hinted he might have a favorite from that group but didn’t want to disclose it. He’d like to make his decision before his season.
According to MaxPreps, last season Burgess had 28 catches for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s rated a 3-star prospect and the #89 recruit in Georgia for 2021 by the 247Sports Composite.
