Fantastic Fifteen: Wherever needed, Burgess delivers

Photos by Sonja Stroyls

ALBANY — In an era when many of the nation’s top football recruits want the ball in their hands every snap, David Burgess has spent his high school career asking a much different question.

“What does the team need?”

Sometimes the answer has been quarterback.

Sometimes it has been wide receiver.

Sometimes it’s been safety.

For Burgess, the position has never mattered nearly as much as the result.

“I’ve always had the mindset of doing whatever was best for the team,” Burgess said.

That attitude has made the Dougherty High senior one of Southwest Georgia’s most respected athletes—and one of its most heavily recruited.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound playmaker enters his senior season with 15 Division I scholarship offers, including national powers Florida State, Oklahoma and Stanford. More offers could arrive before Burgess announces his college decision, something he expects to do during the football season.

Despite excelling on the basketball court as well, the choice of sport has become clear.

“Football can take care of me better,” Burgess said. “I like football better, and I think it’s the best option for me.”

His rise has been anything but conventional.

As a freshman, Burgess wasn’t expected to be Dougherty’s quarterback. That changed almost overnight when record-setting quarterback Kam Davis suffered an injury, forcing Burgess into one of the most demanding positions on the field.

He stayed there throughout his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Then last year came another change.

With Micah Joyner emerging at quarterback, Burgess shifted much of his attention to wide receiver while continuing to help at quarterback whenever needed.

Some highly recruited athletes might have viewed the move as a sacrifice.

Burgess saw it as another opportunity.

The transition has helped transform him into one of Georgia’s most versatile prospects, capable of changing a game with his arm, his hands or his athleticism in the secondary.

“I work on my craft every day so when game time comes I can be prepared,” Burgess said. “I work smarter at the game and try to outthink my opponents.”

Those traits have caught the attention of college coaches across the country.

But Burgess insists his focus remains much closer to home.

The son of Chantelle and David Burgess Sr. believes Dougherty’s greatest improvement this offseason hasn’t been measured in speed, strength or statistics.

It’s been unity.

“Our brotherhood got stronger,” he said. “We’ve come together more and play for each other.”

That bond, he believes, gives the Trojans a chance to compete with anyone if they can block out the distractions that inevitably come with high expectations.

“We’ve got to stay in our circle and keep pushing,” Burgess said. “Not listen to the outside noise.”

His individual goals are ambitious—1,000 receiving yards while adding another 500 through the air—but they’re secondary to what he hopes will be a memorable final season.

“Our way is to the state championship,” he said.

The recruiting process will eventually end.

One school will win the battle for one of Georgia’s premier athletes.

Until then, Burgess isn’t worried about hats on a table or commitment ceremonies.

He’s worried about Friday nights.

One play he may be throwing a pass.

The next he may be catching one.

Wherever Dougherty needs him most, that’s where one of Georgia’s top recruits expects to be.

And that’s exactly where he’s been all along.