The Chicago Bears selected University of Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III with the No. 39 overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Burden arrives in Chicago after prepping collegiately at the University of Missouri (2022-24), earning First-Team All-Southeastern Conference recognition following each of his final two seasons with the Tigers. Over three seasons of action at Missouri, Burden started 34-of-38 career games played, totaling 192 receptions for 2,263 yards (11.8 avg.) and 21 touchdowns, adding a 61-yard rushing touchdown in 2024 and a 78-yard punt return touchdown as a true freshman in 2022. Last season, Luther led the Tigers with 676 yards on 71 catches, one season after tallying 1,212 receiving yards, third-most by any SEC player, on 86 receptions, second-most by any pass-catcher in the conference, earning AP Second-Team All-America honors (2023). Culminated his tenure in Columbia, Mo., with a 34-game streak of outings with at least one reception, the second-longest stretch by any player in program history.
A native of St. Louis, Mo., Burden played three seasons at Cardinal Ritter College Prep, before capping his high school tenure at East St. Louis High School (Illinois), where he helped lead the program to the IHSA 6A State Championship Game. Luther was named All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year in 2021, finishing his final season with 71 catches for 1,174 yards and 20 touchdowns, adding eight punt-return touchdowns and a 54-yard rushing touchdown. On the hardwood, Burden helped lead Cardinal Ritter to a State Championship in the 2019-20 season.
With the 39th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears select Missouri receiver Luther Burden III. Take a look at photos of Burden in action. (Photos via CollegePressBox and AP)
