Are’an Burr stays home, commits to Air Force

Brandon Boles

November 18, 2020 @ 08:47 PM

The winningest FBS program in Colorado during the 2019 season resided in Colorado Springs. The Air Force Falcons won 11 games and finished ranked in the Top 25 polls to end the season. Recently, the Falcons landed a top commit from their own backyard to join them next fall. Air Academy linebacker , one of the top linebacker prospects in Colorado as determined by Prep Redzone Colorado, announced his commitment to join the Falcons on Tuesday, Nov. 17, on local television.

Honored to be welcomed into .@areanburr living room tonight as he made his college football decision to stay home and play for @AF_Football next year! @Kadet_Athletics star has a bright future on the field and in the classroom! #COPreps @KOAA @CHSAA pic.x.com/mgyibqbx3k
— Dylan Scott (@DylanScottTV) November 18, 2020

“Through the whole process and everything, it was pretty stressful at the start,” Burr said. “I wasn’t expecting to get 10 Division I offers like I did. It was a lot to choose from.” Burr narrowed his list to three schools and chose Air Force over Montana State and Northern Arizona at his ceremony. In the end, it was the relationship he built with the coaching staff at Air Force that ultimately pushed them to the top. “I did a lot of thinking and in time I got it down to two schools, Montana State and Air Force Academy,” Burr said. “I have a great relationship with the coaching staff and the Air Force Academy is a great school academically and as a football program. I knew I had to take my talents there.”

The Commitment! 🔵⚪️✈️ #LetsFly #BoltBrotherhood pic.x.com/Hm1sAUuLH8
— Are’an Burr 🃏 (@areanburr) November 18, 2020

There is also a family history of serving in the military and Burr says he is excited to carry the family legacy as well. “My grandma was in the Air Force for a long time,” Burr said. “Military is a big part of my family, that was a huge part. My grandpa was in the Navy and went to the Naval Academy and then served in the National Guard. We have a lot of military in the family.” On the field, Burr has flourished for Air Academy. He is a three-year starter at the linebacker spot and has compiled 254 tackles so far. He also has nine sacks, 17 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions to his credit. He has a natural ability to shoot the gap when blitzing and gets off blocks well, and when he makes contact with the ball carrier, he usually sticks him and brings him down without giving up many yards after contact. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound mike linebacker is instinctive and does a good job breaking down plays quickly. His work this offseason has been continuing to improve as an athlete so he can keep making plays on the field. “I’ve been working on my speed, agility and footwork,” Burr said. “All the coaches tell me I’m coachable and have the ability to know and love the game. I feel like once I perfect my speed and footwork, I’ll be dangerous.” His work has paid off in his high school career, and according to coaches he has had discussions with, there is a chance he could see the field early in his collegiate career. “I have a great relationship with the coaches. They were telling me that when I come in my freshman year, I have a really good potential for starting,” Burr said. “That’s what I was looking for, a good program where I can fit in and start all four years if I can. That’s what I was ultimately looking for.” Burr will take the field one more time with Air Academy (1-4) as they host Coronado (3-2) for one final game this Friday.