MD Native Reaches NFL, Signs With Team After Draft

SEVERN, MD — Severn native Eric Burrell signed an NFL contract with the New Orleans Saints. Burrell graduated from McDonogh School in Owings Mills in 2016.

He went on to play safety for the University of Wisconsin Badgers. The Marylander did not get picked in last weekend's NFL Draft, however.

"I’ve always been an Underdog...," Burrell tweeted as the draft drew to a close.

The Saints announced Sunday that they signed Burrell, snatching him up right after the draft ended. He was on one of 11 undrafted free agents that New Orleans inked over the weekend.

"GOD is truly amazing!!!!" Burrell said in another tweet.

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Burrell graduated from Wisconsin a semester early, earning a bachelor's degree in personal finance in December 2019. He completed a master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis a year later. This classroom work led Burrell to Academic All-Big Ten honors.

The local standout was on the Badgers for five years. He redshirted in his freshman season. That means Burrell did not play in any games, which gave him another year of NCAA eligibility beyond the usual four.

Burrell played in 48 games for Wisconsin, starting 26 of them. He made 126 tackles. Two of those were sacks and 5.5 were for losses. The Badger also broke up 11 passes, recorded five interceptions and forced four fumbles.

The safety was an All-Big Ten honorable mention during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The award recognized him as one of the conference's best players.

"Proud of our guy and excited for him and the @Saints organization, who got a great playmaker," Wisconsin football tweeted.

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Burrell will head to New Orleans next Monday through Wednesday for rookie minicamp, 247sports reported. He will compete for one of 53 roster spots at this summer's training camp.

If he makes the team, Burrell will join their Saints for the 2021 season, which starts in September. The NFL will release this year's schedule on May 12.

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