July 15, 2001
Burns Transfers to Kentucky:
Vincent Burns, Jr., a defensive end from Lake Park, Ga., has transferred to the University of Kentucky, Coach Guy Morriss has announced.The 6-2, 250-pound Burns saw action in nine games for Northern Arizona as a freshman during the 2000 season. He charted 27 tackles for the Lumberjacks, three quarterback sacks (-15 yards) and one pass interception. His 11 tackles for loss (-33 yards) ranked second on the team.Burns will practice with the team during the 2001 season, but will not play in games because of the transfer rule. He will have three years of eligibility remaining, beginning with the 2002 season. In accordance with NCAA scholarship guidelines, Burns will count as an initial scholarship as part of the 2001 recruiting class. He is the 25th player counted in the 2001 class.”He’s an outstanding athlete who played both defense and offense in high school. We needed help on defense and I think he can definitely help us in the future,” Morriss said. “After one year in the weight room with Coach Marc Hill, I think he will be really impressive next year.”Burns was a two-year letterwinner in football, track and field and basketball at Lowndes High School in Valdosta, Ga. As a defensive end and wingback for the Vikings, Burns was named region player of the year. Lowndes won the Class AAAA state championship and Burns was named Most Valuable Player of the title game after scoring a touchdown, blocking a punt and recording five solo tackles. He also was named first-team all-state, all-region and all-area as a senior.
Here is a biography on Burns:
Vincent Burns, Defensive End, 6-2, 250, So-Tr, Lake Park, Ga. (Lowndes HS/Northern Arizona) Defensive end prospect who played both sides of the ball in high school … Saw action in nine games during his freshman campaign at Northern Arizona … Made 27 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss (-33) …Tackles for loss ranked second on the team … Also recorded three sacks (-15) and one pass interception … Had first career interception at Montana … Recorded two sacks against Montana State … Had season-high seven tackles against Southern Utah … A 2000 graduate of Lowndes High in Valdosta, he lettered two years in football, track and field and basketball … Named region player of the year for the Class AAAA football state championship team … Named MVP of the state championship game after scoring a touchdown, blocking a punt, and recording five solo tackles … Senior year statistics featured 70 solo tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 15 QB sacks and three defense touchdowns… Offensively, he caught 15 passes and recorded five touchdowns … Team MVP … Team captain … Competed in the shot put in track and field and was a power forward on the basketball team his sophomore and junior seasons … Nickname is “Sweet Pea” … Son of Hank Burns and Lavern Gardner … Major is physical education.
UK Football Calendar: Here are some upcoming events for Kentucky football:
June 7 Aug. 2 Eight week summer school term
July 25 Coaches Guy Morriss and John L. Smith news conference, 11 a.m. in the press box at Papa John’s Stadium, both coaches will speak at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Education Foundation Luncheon, which follows at noon
July 31 Aug. 2 SEC Football Media Days in Birmingham, Ala., UK featured on Aug. 2 with Coach Guy Morriss, WR Dougie Allen, LB Ronnie Riley
Aug. 5 Freshmen report
Aug. 8 Veterans report
Aug. 9 UK Football Media Day (not open to public)
Aug. 10 First team practice
Aug. 12 Fans’ Day
Aug. 22 Classes begin
Sept. 1 Louisville at Kentucky, 12:30 p.m. EDT, JP Sports live regional TV
