NASHVILLE – Treylon Burks has heard the praise, from teammates, and from coaches.
Calvin Ridley became the latest to pump up the Titans third-year receiver on Wednesday.
"This dude is a freak," Ridley said of Burks. "Like seriously, bro, he's going to be a stud. There's no worries in him. What I see, he's like Julio (Jones), A.J. Brown, he's like (Terrell Owens). A dude that big, that fast. He's a stud, man. You ain't got to worry about him. He's just got to learn, slow the game down. He's going to be alright."
It was just a week ago when fellow receiver DeAndre Hopkins called Burks "one of the most athletic people I've ever played with, a guy as big as he is and fast as he is."
"So," Hopkins continued. "I'm looking forward to seeing what he does this year."
Burks appreciates the kind words.
"It brings confidence," Burks said after Wednesday's practice. "It helps with confidence, them being there, helping me. Them being there asking me questions for feedback. It's fun."
Burks also knows the only thing that really matters is how he performs on the playing field.
Right now, he's doing his best to prepare himself for what's to come.
A year ago, Burks headed into the 2023 season with plenty of momentum.
Then, in joint practices with the Vikings in Minnesota last August, a knee injury set him back, and slowed him down.
Later in the season, Burks suffered another setback in a game against the Steelers. A concussion resulted in him being carted off the field that night in Pittsburgh, and it kept him out of action for weeks.
Burks is now preparing for Year 3, and he said he's feeling great.
"I feel really good," he said with a crowd of reporters surrounding him. "I'm healthy, having fun, and just loving ball."
A first-round pick of the Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft, Burks played in 11 games, with nine starts, in 2023 and tallied 16 catches for 221 yards. Burks caught 33 passes for 444 yards and a touchdown in his rookie season in 2022.
He wants, and aims, to do more.
Heading into the season, Burks said he plans to do everything in his power to stay healthy, knowing he can't control everything.
What he can control is his effort and preparedness, and being at his best could give him the opportunity to make a mark in 2024 even with the presence of veterans Ridley, Hopkins, and Tyler Boyd around him.
"Learning from three really good guys," Burks said. "They're all helping me, critiquing things I need to get better at, and they also ask for my feedback on things they need to get better at. So, it's like a well-rounded deal, everybody helping each other. It's all good.
"For me, I just have to make sure I can stay healthy, and do whatever I need to do take care of my body. The main thing is to have fun, and that's what I've been doing."
A smiling Burks promises to keep a positive outlook.
"I just give it to God, man," Burks said. "Not stressed about (the past), not worried about it … I'm where I am now with a positive attitude. Got a baby on the way. So, I couldn't be more happy."
