Michigan’s number 2 high school football prospect goes to Notre Dame.
Traverse City Central 2022’s four-star linebacker Joshua Burnham announced his engagement in an interview with CBS Sports HQ on Wednesday, his 17th birthday. He chose the Irish over other finalists like Michigan and Wisconsin.
“Notre Dame is an amazing place,” said Burnham. “The culture there is unreal. I just felt like it was the place for me. “
The 6-foot-4,215-pounder is number 115 nationwide and number 2 nationwide, according to the 247 Sports’ Composite. It was long considered Michigan Lean as the Wolverines held 100% of the 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions in December, but Jim Harbaugh has made some changes to his coaching staff since then. Defensive coordinator Don Brown was fired just before the new year, while linebacker coach Brian Jean-Mary left for Tennessee in February, apparently opening the door to the Irish and other programs.
Notre Dame hired a new defensive coordinator this off-season in Cincinnati’s Marcus Freeman. Burnham said he quickly built a strong relationship with Freeman.
“He’s a great coach,” he said. “When I see what he’s done in Cincinnati and now doing in Notre Dame, I feel like I already have a great relationship with him, and it’s just the beginning.”
As a junior in 2020, Burnham played quarterback and linebacker, helping Central advance to the Division 2 semifinals. He was responsible for nearly 2,000 yards of attack and 30 touchdowns while recording 61 tackles, a sack, and an interception of defense.
“Very good, all-round soccer player and athlete his size,” wrote 247Sports’ national recruitment analyst Allen Trieu in his scouting report. “Not only played linebacker, but also tailback and quarterback and played those positions well. Also a good basketball player who shows jumping ability and athletic skills on the court. Runs well for a taller guy, can get to the spots on the field he needs to face tackles and has shown that as a runner on the offensive too. Smart, does proper readings and fills as a supporter, and size and strength make him a safe tackler. Can get even more explosive as a batsman and athlete in general. Its size is mostly about future projections. SAM is a great way to stand up edge rusher is possible and if his body continues to grow the defensive end is in the picture. But he’s an athlete good enough to project to the linebacker unless nature just takes over and he gets too big. But whatever his basic position, he has shown that he can fall into space and rush the passerby, so he should be able to fill multiple roles in multiple defense plans. “
Burnham is the third top 7 prospect in Michigan in 2022 to announce its engagement. He joins five-star cornerback Will Johnson of Grosse Pointe South and four-star recipient Tay’shawn Trent of Eastpointe. Johnson and Trent are both involved in Michigan.
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