Long Valley’s Burton the ‘Epitome of Rutgers Football’

When Michael Burton graduated West Morris Central in 2010, he left with a state championship and his name etched into the Wolfpack football record books.

The high school standout headed over to Rutgers University, where he walked on to the Scarlet Knights football team, proved himself and garnered a scholarship the following year from then-head coach Greg Schiano.

Entering his fifth and final season at the Division I school, Burton has proven himself as a leader, and could become a team captain, according to nj.com.

Burton is now the team’s starting fullback and heralded by teammates as the hardest working members of the team, as well as one of its strongest leaders, the report said.

One of Burton’s teammates, offensive lineman Chris Muller said Burton is “the epitome of Rutgers football,” in the report. “He’s the hardest working on and off the field … He’s just a great player to follow because he’s really coming into his own as a leader and really stepping up and making people do what they need to do.” 

Head Coach Kyle Flood said he can see Burton ending up as the team’s third down back, and that the Long Valley native is a player he can trust with no reservations.

The Scarlet Knights kick off their season on August 28 at Washington State. The team’s home opener is September 6 against Howard.