V is for Vontaze. Vontaze Burfict, ASU linebacker, was so terrifying on Saturday night he got away with tossing an official into Georgia’s offensive line. We still have no idea what happened, but Burfict rushed forward, pitched the field judge into the Bulldog line, and then stood there as a shocked official tossed a flag at him. More baffling still: the officials conferred, and then picked up the flag, presumably terrified of what Burfict would do if they actually penalized him. The way he played against Georgia, it would have taken riot police to subdue him (and he’s just a freshman. Yay you, Sun Devils. Have fun watching that explode for three years.)I implore any college football fan to watch this kid play, he is going to be special. From Dennis Erickson:
A more reliable evaluation is ASU coach Dennis Erickson, who on Wednesday compared Burfict with Ray Lewis. Lewis began an All-America career at the University of Miami under Erickson and has gone on to be a six-time NFL All-Pro first-team linebacker.
“You watch (Burfict) on tape, and every time he plays he dominates,” Erickson said. “When he hits you, it hurts. He's got that kind of attitude. I hate to put pressure on a freshman coming in because it's a different game; I don't care how good you are. But this guy is beyond his years. In fact, I'm going to start coaching middle linebackers now.”
This was the hit that made me fall in love and Burfict's first play this year.
