Utah Utes football: Brandon Burton now has role as veteran

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah cornerback Brandon Burton finds himself in a new role this spring. The 20-year-old Texan, a junior, is now the "old man" in the Utes' back seven.

Graduation left Burton all alone. Last season's starting linebackers Stevenson Sylvester, Kepa Gaison and Mike Wright are gone. So, too, are safeties Robert Johnson and Joe Dale. Same goes for Burton's partner at corner, R.J. Stanford.

The departures have elevated Burton, who became a starter just last season, to a leadership role.

"I get a question almost every day," he said of those competing for the starting vacancies.

Helping them out, Burton acknowledged, is just part of his duties.

"A year ago I was the new guy coming around. So it's a little different," he noted. "I think I've gained so much experience. Coaches are pushing me more to be a leader on the 'D'. I'm just trying to fulfill that job."

So far, so good, according to Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.

"He needs to continue to step up in that role. He's a guy that has some natural leadership ability. Being the guy that's the veteran back there, a lot of these guys are looking to him for pointers and advice."

And Burton, he continued, is doing a nice job with that.

Inheriting the "old man" role in the back seven is something Burton began to think about late last season.

It's now a reality with spring ball under way.

"He's the dean of the secondary, I guess you could say," Whittingham said. "He played good football for us last year and we're counting on him doing the same this year."

As a sophomore, the 6-foot, 185-pound defensive back made 47 tackles and finished with a team-high 10 pass breakups.

The All-American candidate is confident he'll be surrounded by quality replacements this fall.

"They're trying to get the system down and trying to play up to the tempo of the guys last year," Burton said after Thursday's practice at Rice-Eccles Stadium. "They'll get it if they keep working hard. I have faith in the young guys coming in."

Faith may be an understatement.