Deontay Burnett


Deontay Burnett is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans in 2018. He played college football at USC.

Early years

Burnett attended Junípero Serra High School in Gardena, California. He was rated as a three-star recruit and was not a highly recruited player coming out of high school. He committed to the University of Southern California to play college football. Burnett was offered a blueshirt scholarship on the day of signing day, and chose to commit to the school he dreamed of playing for as a kid.

College career

As a true freshman at USC in 2015, Burnett appeared in all but two of the Trojans' games. He was a backup receiver, finishing the year with 10 receptions for 161 yards. He led the team in receiving against California with 3 receptions for 82 yards. In his sophomore season at USC in 2016, Burnett broke out as one of the top-three targets for the Trojans. He appeared in all 13 games, started the last 5 as the slot receiver, and finished with 56 receptions for 622 yards with 7 touchdowns. He added on with 3 carries for 31 yards. Deontay Burnett broke out in the 2017 Rose Bowl Game, where he caught 13 passes for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns. Burnett was given numerous post-season accolades, as he made the 2016 AP All-Bowl Team first team, ESPN All-Bowl Team first team and ESPN Pac-12 All-Bowl Team first team.

Professional career

Tennessee Titans

Burnett signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018. He was waived on September 1, 2018.

New York Jets

On September 3, 2018, Burnett was signed to the New York Jets' practice squad. He was released on September 21, 2018, but was re-signed four days later. He was promoted to the active roster on October 20, 2018. Burnett made his NFL debut on October 21, 2018 in a 37-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, catching one pass for nine yards. In Week 8 against the Chicago Bears, Burnett finished with a team high of both 61 receiving yards and 4 receptions as the Jets lost 10-24.
On August 31, 2019, Burnett was waived by the Jets.

San Francisco 49ers

On October 16, 2019, Burnett was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. He was released on December 10, 2019.

Philadelphia Eagles

Burnett was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad on December 12, 2019. He was promoted to the active roster on December 24, 2019.