Jermaine Burton Bio
Jermaine Demetrius Burton is an American professional football wide receiver born on June 28, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 204 pounds, he developed into a polished pass catcher through a strong college career split between two of the Southeastern Conference’s most respected programs. Burton was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft and earned a College Football Playoff national championship ring as a member of the Georgia Bulldogs in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Burton was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, before his family later moved to the West Coast, where he attended Calabasas High School in Calabasas, California. The move shaped his early football identity, exposing him to a competitive California high school scene that produced a steady stream of college recruits. He earned four-star recruit honors and was selected to play in the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game, a recognition reserved for the top high school prospects in the country.
Coming out of Calabasas, Burton was widely regarded as one of the most electric offensive talents in his recruiting class. His combination of size, speed, and polished route running made him a priority target for several top college programs. He ultimately chose to stay in his home region and committed to play college football at the University of Georgia, a decision that launched one of the most successful stretches of his young career.
Path to the NFL
Burton’s path to professional football began as a true freshman at Georgia in 2020, when he appeared in ten games and posted 27 receptions for 404 yards and three touchdowns. He announced his arrival with a standout performance against Mississippi State, recording a career-high 197 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 31–24 victory. The following season, as a sophomore in 2021, he added 26 receptions for 497 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games, helping Georgia capture the College Football Playoff national championship.
In January 2022, Burton announced his decision to transfer to the University of Alabama to play for the Crimson Tide. The move gave him a fresh start in a new offensive system and an opportunity to expand his role. After two seasons in Tuscaloosa, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft following a final year in which he led Alabama with 798 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, cementing his status as an early-round prospect.
Jermaine Burton Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Burton’s early career was defined by his rapid development at Georgia. He earned a featured role as a true freshman and became a reliable downfield threat by his sophomore season, finishing the year with five touchdowns and 497 receiving yards. His contributions were part of a deep and talented Georgia receiving corps that powered the Bulldogs to the 2021 national championship.
The championship run, capped by a dominant postseason, gave Burton elite-level experience in high-pressure games before he turned 20. He played in 12 games during that championship season and scored five times, providing the kind of explosive playmaking that scouts look for in future NFL wideouts.
Georgia to Alabama (2020–2023)
After two seasons at Georgia, Burton transferred to Alabama in 2022 to play for the Crimson Tide. The SEC move allowed him to develop within a different offensive structure under one of college football’s most demanding coaching staffs. By his final season in 2023, he had grown into Alabama’s leading receiver.
Burton’s production peaked during his last year with the Crimson Tide, when he led the team with 798 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. That performance convinced NFL evaluators that he was ready for the next level, and he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft shortly after the season ended.
Cincinnati Bengals (2024–2025)
Burton was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft. He made an early impression by recording his first NFL catch in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, hauling in a 47-yard reception. He finished his rookie year appearing in 14 games and posting 4 receptions for 107 receiving yards, while also contributing on special teams with 378 return yards.
His second season in Cincinnati proved more difficult. On January 3, 2025, the Bengals announced that Burton would not travel with the team to Pittsburgh for their season finale against the Steelers due to a coach’s decision. Then, on December 7, 2025, after not appearing in any of the team’s regular season games that year, he was suspended by the Bengals hours before their Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills. A day later, on December 8, 2025, the organization officially waived him, ending his time in Cincinnati.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Burton’s signature achievements is his role on the 2021 Georgia Bulldogs team that won the College Football Playoff national championship. He also recorded his first NFL reception against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024, a 47-yard catch that highlighted the deep-threat ability he showcased in college. His 798-yard, eight-touchdown final season at Alabama stands as his most productive collegiate campaign.
Jermaine Burton Career Statistics
Across his two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Burton appeared in 14 games and recorded 4 receptions for 107 receiving yards. He also contributed 378 return yards, reflecting his usage on special teams during his rookie year. Following a suspension in December 2025, he was waived by the Bengals a day later, bringing his time in the NFL to a temporary close.
Jermaine Burton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Burton was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, before his family later settled in Calabasas, California, where he completed his high school education. Details about his parents and immediate relatives are not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
On December 30, 2024, Burton was reported to have been involved in a domestic dispute in which he allegedly choked and hit his ex-girlfriend after breaking into her home. Public records on his broader personal life, including marital status, remain limited.
2025 Season Performance
Burton’s 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals was marked by his absence from game action. After appearing in 14 games during his 2024 rookie campaign, he did not play in any of the Bengals’ regular season games in 2025. On January 3, 2025, the team announced that he would not travel with them to Pittsburgh for their season finale against the Steelers, citing a coach’s decision.
His season ended definitively on December 7, 2025, when the Bengals suspended him hours before their Week 14 game against the Buffalo Bills. No reason for the suspension was publicly disclosed by the organization. One day later, on December 8, 2025, the Bengals officially waived him, bringing his tenure in Cincinnati to a close.
As 2025 closes, Burton’s future in the NFL remains uncertain. His combination of size, speed, and proven college production suggests he could draw interest from teams in need of receiving depth, but his recent off-field issues and lack of in-game action during 2025 may complicate his path back onto an active roster.