ABERDEEN — Venerable Yankee catcher Yogi Berra, who was one of sports’ most quoted personalities, has been credited with dozens of what are affectionately known as “Yogi-isms” over the years.
Although one of his more famous utterings, “It’s deja vu all over again,” originally referred to a Yankee baseball game, Berra had no way of knowing his infamous quote would hold a great deal of meaning for the Burroughs’ family in Aberdeen after Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
Berra’s oft-quoted statement came into play for the father-son combo of Sammie Burroughs Jr. and Sammie Burroughs III, both undersized players who, because of their lack of size, had and will have to prove they have what it takes to succeed on the football field.
After a sterling career at Portland State his junior and senior years and although he lacked the size to play linebacker at 6-foot and 215 pounds., Sammie Jr. played four years in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts (1996-98) and the Miami Dolphins (1999) despite being undrafted.
Following in the footsteps of his dad, Sammie III extended his football career for two more years by signing a junior college letter of intent. Unlike his father, however, who initially took his football skills to Itawamba Community College and then to California’s Mount San Antonio Junior College, Sammie III signed with East Mississippi C.C., the defending national JUCO champion.
“The coaches at East Mississippi said they have big plans for Sammie,” Sammie Jr. said. “They have one of the best JUCO programs in the country, and Sammie couldn’t have picked a better place to refine his skills under a coaching staff that has two recent national championships.”
A starter at wide receiver on offense and as a defensive back, Sammie III, who is 5-9 and weighs 170 pounds, also handled kick and punt returns for the Bulldogs.
“From what the coaches tell us, they plan to utilize Sammie primarily on offense,” said Sammie Jr., “most likely in the slot position where they can move him around, put him in motion and get him out in open space where they can take advantage of his elusiveness. He may also get a shot at returning kicks, too.”
Burroughs topped the Bulldogs’ receiving corps with a team-high 80-yard reception, one of his team-leading 42 catches. His 782 yards receiving (18.62 average) was the second best behind sophomore Jerrick Orr’s 813 yards and 23.23 average.
Burroughs also rushed for 384 yards on 32 carries for a 12.0 average per carry, was credited with 501 of Aberdeen’s 781 kickoff return yards (26.37), and had 88 of the Bulldogs’ 108 yards on six punt returns (14.67). His 96-yard kickoff return and 26-yard punt return also were team highs.
Burroughs also led the team in all-purpose yardage (2,003 — 384 rushing, 782 receiving, 501 on kickoff returns, 88 on punt returns and 248 on interception returns) for an average of 154.1 yards per game.
Burroughs accounted for almost a quarter of Aberdeen’s 399 points with 98 on a team-high 16 touchdowns — four rushing, eight receiving, four miscellaneous (kick returns and interceptions) — along with one two-point conversion.
Burroughs was credited with 25 solo tackles, 24 assists, and five interceptions (average return of 49.6 yards). He also returned two fumble recoveries 30 yards. In his four years as a starter, he intercepted 20 passes.
“Sammie can do just about anything and will do everything you ask him to do,” Aberdeen coach Mark Bray said. “He works extremely hard and does so many things for the team that he is one of those kids you just can’t replace with one person.”
With a 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash, Burroughs isn’t a speed-burner, but he is an elusive runner once he gets his hands on the ball.
“Put Sammie in a closet and he’d be hard to tackle,” Aberdeen High offensive coordinator Alex Williams said.
Sammie Jr., who ran a 4.32 in the 40, thinks Sammie III can match or exceed his mark.
“The 40-yard dash has a lot to do with technique, and the coaches at East Mississippi can get his 4.4 down,” Sammie Jr. said.
Burroughs will join former Aberdeen teammates Justin Lucas, Zavia Forshee, and Brandon Hodges on the 2014 squad, along with Aaron McMillian and Michael Hodges, who plan to transfer from Northeast C.C. and Mississippi State respectively.
“Having former teammates on the roster will be a big plus,” said Sammie Jr., who ventured West all by himself 20 years ago.
In another famous “Yogi-ism,” Berra opined, “You can observe a lot by watching,” but Burroughs doesn’t foresee filling a backup role his freshman year and plans to earn a spot on the starting offense.
“From what the coaches tell me, if I work hard I’ll be playing mostly on offense and possibly on special teams, and that’s my preference,” said Burroughs, who played for the North squad in the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Football game, was a second-team selection on the MAC All-State team, and a first-team pick on the All-Division Super 22 squad.
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