For an offense that didn’t do much of anything last season, Trey Burton was constantly trying out different roles.
The junior lined up at five different positions, including quarterback, running back and wide receiver. He also played special teams.
“The kid’s got great athletic skills,” offensive coordinator Brent Pease said. “He can catch. He’s tough. He can get tough yards. He can block. He can be a receiver in motion, and he’s smart. He knows all the positions.”
Burton made headlines his freshman season with a national-best six-touchdown performance against Kentucky in his first-ever home Southeastern Conference game.
The former Venice High School dual-threat quarterback saw his touchdowns, rushing yards, yards per rush and receiving yards dip in his sophomore campaign.
Burton went from 75 to 37 carries. His touchdowns decreased by eight.
In his defense, every team offensive category except passing yards fell in coach Will Muschamp’s first season.
Although Burton said he doesn’t plan on ever moving on from the 7-6 season, the player with no set position has a job to do for UF in 2012.
UF’s defense found out first hand how Burton can affect the opponent.
“It’s definitely going to be real confusing for them when other defenses line up against him because they might have Trey Burton line up at tight end, and then once they say ‘hut,’ he’s going to be at receiver split out wide, or he might be at running back,” starting Buck linebacker Lerentee McCray said.
He arrived at Florida expecting to play quarterback for his entire college career. Instead, Burton and former coach Urban Meyer talked about possible position changes due to low roster numbers.
“I didn’t want to sit,” Burton said. “That was the main reason why Urban and I had that talk. I’m really happy with what I’m doing so far and I love it. I just have to continue to do it.”
In 2012, Burton dealt with his third offensive coordinator in as many training camps.
Throughout the changes, one skill has stayed with the versatile athlete — his intelligence.
Burton has passed his knowledge onto his teammates.
“He just takes to the game very well, so you’re able to put him in a lot of different spots and you get where you term ‘rep’ guys,’” Muschamp said.
“Well, rep guys, they’ve got to rep it over and over. Trey’s not (that). He’s a guy you can verbalize and say, ‘Remember, here, this is what we want.’
“He understands that part of it, which helps in special teams, helps on offense, (and) helps in a lot of areas.”
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Trey Burton
