Former Gamecock Jordan Burch taken on Day 2 of NFL Draft
Former Hammond School football standout Jordan Burch was picked Friday on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals picked the defensive end in the third round of the draft. Burch started his college career at South Carolina and finished it at Oregon.
“Sky is the limit,” Burch told reporters Friday night. “I’m going to keep going. I feel like a lot people haven’t seen all I can do. I feel like at this next level I’m going to be able to show them.”
Burch said he went outside away from friends and family to just “take it all in” after being drafted.
Burch was ranked as the 64th-best prospect in the draft, according to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. ESPN’s Mel Kiper had Burch ranked as the sixth-best defensive end.
“When he cuts it loose, you see some fantastic pass rushing ability,” ESPN’s Louis Riddick said during the draft telecast.
“Jordan Burch is a gifted player,” Kiper said before the draft. “When he was in the SEC he was wreaking havoc. He did a good job at Oregon. Talented kid. I think he’s a second-rounder. I think somebody’s going to roll the dice on the talent in round 2, at the latest round 3.”
Burch’s athletic ability for his size has always caught the attention of scouts. The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman put Burch in the top 10 of his annual “Freaks” list the last two seasons. Burch ran a 4.67 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in March.
Burch, who was born in Florence, moved to Columbia after his freshman year at Wilson High and played three seasons at Hammond, helping the Skyhawks to three straight S.C. Independent School Association state championships.
“So proud! Jordan is an elite player and human. #WeAreHammond,” Erik Kimrey, Burch’s high school coach said on X (formerly Twitter) after his selection.
Burch was a top-10 nationally ranked recruit his senior season and was the highest-ranked commitment for the South Carolina football program when he signed in 2020.
Burch played three seasons with the Gamecocks, totaling 105 total tackles, 55 solo, 12.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks and had an interception returned for a touchdown against Tennessee.
After three seasons, Burch decided to transfer to Oregon and play for Dan Lanning, who recruited him out of high school. He spent two seasons with the Ducks and had a breakout season this year.
Burch set career high in sacks with 8.5 and had 31 tackles, 11 for loss. He was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his game against Michigan State in which he had a career-high 2.5 sacks, four tackles and a fumble recovery.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 10:11 PM.
