Overlooked Oregon Defender Jordan Burch Has Intriguing Day 2 Draft Potential

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Overlooked Oregon Defender Jordan Burch Has Intriguing Day 2 Draft Potential

Bob Rose · Athlon Sports

Wed, Apr 23, 2025 ·

3 min read

Jordan Burch , Edge (Oregon)

Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch (1) pursues Stanford Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson (8). Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

After graduating from Hammond High School in South Carolina, Burch initially stayed in-state when committing to University of South Carolina. He'd appear in a handful of games as a freshman in 2020, recording 3 tackles for loss.

In 2021, Burch saw more action and responded with a sack, 3 tackles for loss, and an interception return for a touchdown. He'd be a regular starter for the Gamecocks in 2022, finishing second on the team with 8 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. After that season, he'd transfer to Oregon.

Burch had 3 sacks and 8 stops for negative yardage in his first year with the Ducks. Last season, he'd have the best production of his collegiate career with 8.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 6 passes broken up.

Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch (1) sacks Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2). Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Burch has terrific athletic traits, but his production hasn't matched his abilities. He's not particularly aggressive against the run and also needs to show better discipline on running plays. He'll too often get caught upright, losing leverage advantage and getting pushed off the ball.

As a pass rusher, Burch has shown little counter moves when his initial charge is stalled. While his pass rush production improved over his career, he was too reliant on raw ability instead of technique development.

Burch has the size, length, and athletic combination that coaches covet on the edge. He'll get on top of a blocker quickly and has an excellent speed-to-power conversion to collapse a pass pocket. His natural bend and burst allows him to get around a tackle's outside shoulder and on the ball fast.

Oregon Ducks defensive end Jordan Burch forces a fumble from Maryland Terrapins quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With almost freakish athletic talent, Burch has an explosive jump and long reach to disrupt passing lanes. He also has tremendous lower-body power that will help him hold the point of attack with more technique development.

Jordan Burch is expected to come off the board somewhere between the middle and later portion of Day 2. His raw athletic traits give him a high ceiling with immediate value as a situational pass rusher. He also has the size and versatility to be both a stand-up edge rusher or attack offenses out of a 3-point stance on the line.

Burch is one of a handful of quality edge rushers that should be available through Day 2 and early into Day 3. He needs development for his production to match his potential, but has the upside to bolster what has been an anemic New Orleans pass rush.