GREEN BAY, Wis. – Luther Burden III, a St. Louis native and standout Mizzou wide receiver, is officially NFL-bound.
The Chicago Bears have selected Burden in the second-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 39th overall.
Burden joins the Bears after three strong seasons for the Missouri Tigers, a collegiate career that included 2,200 receiving yards, 25 touchdowns (21 receiving, 4 rushing) and a 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic bowl game victory.
A former consensus five-star recruit out of East St. Louis High School, Burden turned 21 in December and leaves Mizzou as one of the most dynamic playmakers in recent history.
Once projected as a Top-10 pick, Burden remained coveted in the early rounds thanks to his explosiveness, versatility, and game-breaking speed. Burden now joins an offense led by 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and soon-to-be NFL sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams, along with playmakers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
While Burden just missed first-round territory, one of his Mizzou teammates, offensive tackle Armand Membou, cracked the Top 10 overall, selected by the New York Jets.
The 2025 NFL Draft continues through Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.