Adamsville's Burcham commits to Memphis football

Ross Burcham has been an integral part of the football program at Adamsville High for the past four years and their runs to four straight state semifinals with a pair of state championship appearances as well.

Burcham announced on Sunday he'll trade in his Cardinal red for Tiger blue this fall as he's committed to join the football program at the University of Memphis as a preferred walk-on.

"I've been talking to them since they contacted me on [Dec. 9] Tuesday of the week leading up to the [East-West] all-star game," Burcham said. "Coach [Darrell] Dickey has come to Adamsville to watch me play basketball and practice to see how well I can move, and we had dinner with him on Jan. 15.

"I went down there this weekend for a visit and spent time with Coach Dickey and Coach [Justin] Fuente," Burcham said. "I liked what I saw, and I like the organization Coach Fuente has throughout the program."

Burcham, who entered his senior year of high school with a 3.4 grade-point average, said his grades are good enough to garner plenty of scholarship money to pay for his education if he doesn't get a scholarship. But he said he likes the idea of working his way up the ladder within the program.

"I've got to earn my keep, and I'm OK with that," Burcham said. "I've got a chance to play football in college with a team that's definitely on its way up after what they accomplished last year with the bowl trip and the [American Athletic Conference] championship."

The two main things Burcham is unsure about going into college is his planned major and what position he will play. He played receiver, defensive back, punter and punt returner at Adamsville. But the possibilities at Memphis are considerably different.

"We've talked receiver, h-back and Sam linebacker," Burcham said. "It just depends on how I develop in my first year there.

"We know I will redshirt next year, and I'll get there and work with the strength and conditioning coach about how I need to work in the weightroom. It's almost like he'll decide which position I'll play, but there are plenty of places for me to go on the roster because they lose three receivers and defensive backs this year and their main H-back graduates next year."

Burcham is one of two local athletes who will sign with NCAA FBS programs as a preferred walk-on this year as University School of Jackson's Michael Taylor plans to sign with Ole Miss as a long snapper.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751