COLUMBIA, Mo.–Luther Burden III, the Mizzou star wide receiver says it’s “go time.” On Monday, December 2, he officially declared his intention to enter the NFL draft via X. 

The former East Saint Louis wideout and current Tiger will probably hear his name spoken by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on April 24, 2025, during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft in the first NFL Draft to take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Packers.

Multiple draft experts believe he’ll be a first-round pick ranging all over the round. Since the NFL season hasn't ended yet, the official draft order remains uncertain.

DraftTek has Burden III projected the highest as a top-5 pick, becoming a Patriot at 5.

College Football Network projects Burden III as a top-10 pick, to the Tennessee Titans at 7.

Fox Sports thinks Burden III will be the 11th pick with the Dallas Cowboys.

Draft Network also think Burden III will be a Cowboy, but at pick 13.

Pro Football Network adds Burden III to the Cowboys, this time at 14.

USA Today projects Luther Burden III to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at pick 15.

CBS Sports projects Burden III to the Tampa Bay Bucs at pick 15.

Draft Countdown joins the clubs of Burden III being a Buc at pick 15.

Sports Illustrated makes the fourth expert to declare Burden III to the Bucs at pick 15.

Bleacher Nation also projects Burden III to the Tampa Bay Bucs, but at pick 16.

Walter Football shows Burden III also at pick 16, but this time to the Los Angeles Rams.

NBC Sports has Burden III to the Denver Broncos at pick 19.

Pro Football Focus says Burden III will be a Commander with Washington’s 21st pick.

Yahoo Sports say Burden III will be a Buc, but after Tampa Bay trades down to the 23rd pick.

The33rdteam says Burden III will be the 23rd pick too, but to the Denver Broncos.

Sports Grid has the lowest draft position for Burden III, to the Steelers at 26.

NFL draft expert Mel Kiper hasn’t made a public mock draft yet, but has Burden III as his 19th ranked player overall.

As of December 2, 2024, Luther Burden III has played in 38 collegiate games. He’s caught 192 passes for 2263 yards and 21 touchdowns, with a career long of 56 yards. Burden III carried the ball 34 times for 234 yards and 4 touchdowns, with a career long run of 61 yards. While he isn’t starting at punt returner any more, he has 24 punt returns for a total of 252 yards with one touchdown.

If Burden III is drafted in the first round, it'll be the first time in back-to-back years, the Tigers has sent a player to the NFL in the first round. The last time no Tigers were selected was 20 years ago in 2004, that streak looks to improve by another year.