2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

46 - MICHAEL BURTON
Fullback Rutgers Long Valley, N.J.
Year: Rookie Ht: 6-0 Wt: 247 Born: 2/1/92
Draft: ‘15, R5 (168)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (168th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.
PRO
Bruising fullback who joins the Lions as the first of the position to be drafted by the team since FB Jerome Felton in 2008
following a successful college career at Rutgers.
COLLEGE
Entered the college football ranks as a walk-on in 2010 and was redshirted his freshman year before emerging as a force
in the Scarlet Knights backfield. Played in 42 career games (27 starts) and finished with 22 carries for 116 yards, as well
as 47 receptions for 401 yards and three touchdowns.
2014: Carried the Rutgers ground attack as the lead backfield blocker as he appeared in all 13 games (10 starts), hauling
in at least one catch in 11 of the 13 games. Earned the Paul Robeson Award as a senior, which is presented annually to
an individual whose performance, leadership and dedication on and off the field during his career has had the greatest
impact on Rutgers football.
‣ ¾ Was one of 27 players in the Rutgers program to be named to the Big Ten All-Academic Team in 2014.
‣ ¾ Helped the offense rush for 340 yards in the Quick Lane Bowl victory over North Carolina in Detroit (12/26), the highest
rushing total for Rutgers since 2007. Also converted a fake punt in the game.
‣ ¾ Blocked for an offense that racked up 284 rushing yards against Navy, including a key block on a fourth-down run that
led to a touchdown.
‣ ¾ Collected two receptions in Senior Day win over Indiana (11/15).
2013: Started 10 of the 13 games he saw action in and ended the year with 61 rushing yards and 149 receiving yards,
including two touchdowns.
‣ ¾ Hauled in touchdown passes against South Florida (12/7) and Temple (11/2).
‣ ¾ Rushed twice and registered two receptions in home opener start against Norfolk State (9/7).
‣ ¾ Named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Football Team.
2012: Earned starts at fullback in the first four games of the season before suffering a season-ending leg injury in the win
at Arkansas (9/22).
2011: Worked his way into the starting lineup in three of the final four games of 2011 after moving from running back to
fullback during spring drills.
‣ ¾ Saw his first-career carry vs. West Virginia, totaling 13 yards on three attempts.
‣ ¾ Scored his first-career touchdown as a Scarlet Knight in the first start of his career in the 27-12 win at Army (11/12).
2010: Redshirted in 2010.
PERSONAL
Four-year starter for head coach Kevin Hennelly at West Morris Central (N.J.) High School. Named first-team all-state,
all-group III and Morris County Player of the Year by the Star-Ledger. Set 10 school season records and career records,
including a school single-season record 1,769 yards on 200 carries and 20 touchdowns as a senior.
‣ ¾ Owns his high school’s career rushing mark with 3,332 yards, as well as single-season all-purpose yards (2,376) and
career all-purpose yards (4,498).
‣ ¾ Father, Peter, was a standout running back at Susquehanna University and sister, Lyndsay, was a women’s basketball
All-America selection in 2010 at Johns Hopkins University.
‣ ¾ Majored in communications at Rutgers.
DETROIT LIONS
PLAYER PROFILES