The Rams used their fourth draft pick this year on safety Terrell Burgess, selecting him 104th overall in the third round with their compensatory choice. Here are five things you should know about the former Utah standout.
1) A football "Swiss army knife"
New Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley values versatility in his players, so it likely comes as no surprise that the Rams drafted a player in Burgess appropriately dubbed "the football equivalent of a Swiss army knife" by his college coach.
According to The Deseret News, Burgess played every position in the Utes' secondary and on every special teams unit. He also split time at defensive back and wide receiver as a redshirt freshman before committing to defense full-time.
2) Guided by a former Ram
Burgess counts former Rams safety Eric Weddle as one of his mentors.
The two Utah alums spoke not long after Weddle announced his retirement earlier this year, and Weddle even texted him while he was on a video conference with local media the night he got drafted. According to Burgess, Weddle's best friend in college was current Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who coached Burgess.
"I think the biggest thing that he said was just be patient and understand that everything's on God's plan of what happens," Burgess said of Weddle's advice during the pre-draft process. "Take it day-by-day and try not stress about it because everything happens for a reason and this is crazy. I think the biggest thing from him, is it's nice to have somebody that went to my school, went on to the league, is kind of from Southern California and be able to be kind of a mentor for me."
3) Southern California homecoming
For Burgess' family, Los Angeles is the perfect place for him to start his NFL career.
Burgess grew up in San Marcos, California, roughly 100 miles from SoFi Stadium. His draft celebration took place just east of San Marcos in his mother's Escondido home, so they won't have to travel far to see him play.
4) Siblings and college sports
Speaking of family, Burgess was the second member of his to play college football. His brother, Isiah Hennie, was a two-time honorable mention All-Big Sky wide receiver at Sacramento State (2014-17).
5) Future athletic trainer?
According to his Utah bio, Burgess graduated with a degree in kinesiology last December. His LinkedIn profile says he also studied exercise science while in school.
Welcome to LA, Terrell Burgess! Meet the safety from Utah.
Washington's Dante Pettis (8) is brought down by Utah's Terrell Burgess in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Seattle. Washington won 33-30. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) practices before the start of their NCAA college football game against Northern Illinois Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2019, file photo, Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess is shown during an NCAA football game against Southern California, in Los Angeles. Burgess was selected to The Associated Press All-Pac 12 Conference team, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong, File)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
CORRECTS THE DAY AND DATE TO SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 2019, AND NOT JAN. 4, 2012, AS ORIGINALLY SENT -Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess, rear, breaks up a pass to Washington State wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess does the bench press at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for NFL)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
BYU quarterback Zach Wilson (1) runs past Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) runs up field in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) during an NCAA college football against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov 3, 2018, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) tackles Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess, left, after he picks up a fumble in the second half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
BYU tight end Matt Bushman (89) breaks up a potential interception by Utah defensive back Terrell Burgess (26) in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/George Frey)
Utah's Terrell Burgess (26) and Semisi Lauaki (93) reach for a fumble against Colorado in the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
