2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Clayton Burton, LB, Duke University

• Name: Clayton Burton
• Position: LB
• College: Duke University
• Height: 6′ 1 1/2″
• Weight: 220 lbs
• X (Twitter): @ClaytonBurton04
• Instagram: @claytonburton_

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

My family has done a lot of different sports mainly swimming. My grandpa was an Olympic swimmer, my dad played football in high school and swam and played baseball at Michigan and I played baseball but ultimately, I just love working out and practicing and that’s why I chose football.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

My senior year of high school was pretty great, I switched to linebacker, and we were beating schools with 5,000 kids and the state tournaments were fun as kid and when I was at Grinnell College, I played offense and defense.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Just to bring experience I played six years in college and bring the energy to practice, games and the locker room. Someone who always wants to be better and be a glue guy for a team.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

Cooper Kupp because of his underdog mentality, works super hard, defies the odds and also Tom Brady, just because he was fully invested in football and studied the game really hard.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My brother, he’s always been undersized and plays at Saint Ambrose and he’s bigger now and he’s selfless and I have a lot of respect for him.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

3-4 with 4 linebackers on the field and shell defenses which is similar to what we ran at Duke and nickel.

What should we know about Clayton Burton the person?

I care more about my teammates then myself and I love helping my teammates mentally and I’m a big believer in God and I am a family guy, and the family part translates to the field and locker room as well.

What stands out about your film the most?

The ability to not make the same mistake twice and I love learning about the game.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

I’ve had a lot of challenges. My dad had a pretty bad accident when I was in high school, my freshman and sophomore seasons at Grinnell were cancelled and they almost cut the football program, and I almost single handedly saved it and I always just think that challenges are opportunities.

What would a team get in a player like you?

Someone who gets the job done regardless of the situation and do whatever defense, special teams, be a leader and do whatever the team needs and be the hardest worker I can be.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

It’s never the same, always changing and you need everyone bought in and everyone has to adapt and change with the game at different positions and that’s the beauty of it.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Nick Morris, Dawson Andrew and Memorable Factor, they work super hard, and they don’t get enough recognition and are really good.