DJ Burns, the standout basketball player for NC State during their unexpected NCAA Tournament run, is facing uncertainty about his future once the tournament concludes. Despite attracting attention from NFL teams during his team’s surprising performance, Burns has shed light on rumors suggesting a potential transition to football.

NC State‘s Cinderella journey to March Madness included late-game heroics and securing an automatic bid by winning the ACC Tournament championship against UNC. Burns, who previously played at Winthrop State, was named Most Valuable Player in the conference tournament and has proven his talent by leading the 11th-seeded Wolfpack to the Final Four.

While his impressive performance may boost his NBA Draft stock, the reality of being a 6’7″, 275-pound big man primarily thriving in the paint may limit his prospects as a lottery pick.

Burns addresses rumors

However, multiple NFL insiders have suggested that Burns could have potential as an offensive lineman in the league. Burns addressed these rumors during an interview with Dan Patrick, stating that he has not heard from any NFL teams directly.

“They always find something to talk about, and I just happened to be one of the topics. [The NBA’s] the plan,” he noted.

“I’d probably explore some other options first before [football], but I’m not a close-minded person.”

While it appears unlikely that Burns will pursue football next season, it remains a potential alternative career path if basketball does not pan out for the 23-year-old athlete.