Aaron Burbridge

Burbridge battled injuries and inconsistent play early in his career as a top recruit, but flipped the narrative as a senior, taking over for Tony Lippett as the Spartans' starting "X" receiver and quarterback Connor Cook's top target.

in our view

Burbridge isn't a speed demon and lacks the explosive traits to easily generate separation, but he makes himself available at all times in his routes and doesn't need spacing from defenders to be an effective pass-catcher. While he has his limitations, Burbridge projects as a reliable possession target due to his competitive ball-skills and timing in traffic.

not a proven deep threat with limited big-play potential - only one catch of 40-plus yards among his 165 career grabs. needs to be more creative after the catch and is too easily tackled by smaller defenders. needs to better recognize the blitz to alter his hot route.

Only one year of consistent production as a starter. Missed most of spring and summer last off-season due to a broken fifth metatarsal on his left foot, which required surgery (April 2015).

strengths

Good core strength for the position. Accelerates well and makes himself available in his route. Above average ball-skills with strong hands to secure away from defenders. Elevates to attack and won't wait for the ball to come to him. Coordinated adjustments with excellent feet along the sideline to toe-tap.

catches well in stride and finishes as a ballcarrier. tough in traffic and over the middle, securing first and bracing for contact second. puts in the work to develop timing with his quarterback - praised by his coaches for the extra work in his own time. physical blocker.

Highly productive senior season, leading the Big Ten in receiving and setting a new Michigan State single-season record for catches (85).

weaknesses

Only average height and length for the position. Not an explosive athlete and lacks secondary quickness in his routes to separate late. Doesn't easily create room to work at the top of routes.

2015: Underwent surgery in April to repair a broken fifth metatarsal on his left foot.

SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American.

ranked among the nation's top players by Scout.com (No. 63), 247Sports.com (No. 85), Rivals.com (No. 103) and CollegeFootballNews.com (No. 119).

rated among the country's top wide receivers by Scout.com (No. 9), 247Sports.com (No. 9), SuperPrep (No. 10), Rivals.com (No. 16), CollegeFootballNews.com (No. 19) and ESPN.com (No. 44).

ranked the state's No. 1 senior by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com, Detroit Free Press and Lansing State Journal.

listed among the Midwest's top prospects by SuperPrep (No. 5) and ESPN.com (No. 32).

selected to play in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association 2012 East-West All-Star Game.

two-year starter for Coach John Herrington at Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

two-time Detroit Free Press All-State Dream Team selection (2010, 2011).

named to the 2011 Associated Press and Detroit News Division 1-2 All-State Team.

had 32 receptions for 753 yards (23.5 avg.) and six touchdowns as a senior.

also returned an interception 99 yards for a TD and a kickoff 95 yards for a score in 2011.

caught four passes for 121 yards, including a 69-yard TD grab, in the 2011 playoff opener vs. Birmingham Seaholm.

had 215 receiving yards and three TD receptions vs. Southfield-Lathrup as a senior.

had 36 catches for 720 yards (20.0 avg.) and nine TDs as a junior while helping lead the Hawks to a perfect 14-0 record and the Division 2 state championship.

accounted for 613 combined return yards in 2010.

recorded 24 tackles, 13 pass break-ups and five interceptions as a junior, returning two of those picks for TDs.

had eight receptions for 123 yards and two scores (26 and 10 yards) vs. Lowell in 2010 state championship game.

caught 46 passes for 752 yards (16.3 avg.) and eight TDs as a sophomore.

Son of Nora Clemons Florence.

born Dec. 23, 1993.

sociology major.

2015

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
4.9	0.0	44.0	9.0	13.0

receiving
REC	YPR	TD	LONG	YDS
85.0	14.8	7.0	56.0	1258.0