Burden savors All-ACC honors

Center Freddie Burden’s final season as a Yellow Jacket has concluded well. The senior from Statesboro was named to ESPN’s All-ACC team, a week after he was named to the media’s All-ACC third team.

“Huge accomplishment,” Burden said Tuesday. “One of the things you pride yourself on. I dedicated this season to my dad, so just to reap that benefit is amazing.”

Burden’s father Willie died a year ago this past Sunday at age 64. The former N.C. State and CFL star running back had been hospitalized at Piedmont Hospital awaiting a heart transplant. His death came at the end of a trying year for Burden, who made near-daily visits to his father at the hospital while trying to balance football and academics.

The year since has been more uplifting. He graduated in May, aided Tech’s turnaround from its 3-9 season and, after finishing his career at the TaxSlayer Bowl against Kentucky, will begin training for his bid for the NFL. Burden said he had received an invitation to the College Gridiron Showcase game Jan. 11 in Bedford, Texas.

Burden’s play was instrumental in the Jackets’ finishing 8-4. The Jackets averaged 6.6 yards per play, 20th in the country and the third-highest rate in coach Paul Johnson’s tenure. Burden will leave Tech as part of just the second senior class since 1956 to beat Georgia twice in Athens.

He joins Johnson-era offensive linemen such as Shaquille Mason, Omoregie Uzzi and Sean Bedford with his All-ACC selection.

“This is my first time making it on the actual team,” Burden said. “I was honorable mention, I believe, two years ago, so it’s good to make it on the team. I was excited and happy.”