Pittman’s Pocket: Alabama State’s James Burgess Jr. Makes His Mark in Saskatchewan

From the SWAC to the CFL, James Burgess Jr. is showing exactly why HBCU defensive backs deserve serious professional evaluation.

James Burgess Jr. predicted it before the game.

“We’re ready to get some picks.”

Then he went out and delivered.

The former Alabama State Hornets defensive back recorded his first career regular-season CFL interception Saturday night as the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Toronto Argonauts 28-24 at Mosaic Stadium. The play was more than simply a turnover—it was another example of an HBCU defensive back making an immediate impact at the professional level.

Burgess, making his first CFL start, intercepted Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly in the first quarter and returned the pick 27 yards. The turnover helped Saskatchewan answer Toronto’s opening touchdown and eventually set up Dhel Duncan-Busby’s touchdown reception, tying the game 7-7 after the first quarter.

The performance didn’t stop with the interception.

Burgess also recorded a critical pass breakup late in the fourth quarter after Saskatchewan had taken its first lead, helping force another Toronto punt with just minutes remaining. Saskatchewan ultimately held on for the 28-24 comeback victory.

HBCU Production Translates

Burgess’ professional opportunity is rooted in a highly productive career at Alabama State.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive back played four seasons for the Hornets from 2021-24. During his senior campaign, he produced 53 tackles, four tackles for loss, 10 pass deflections, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four interceptions.

That season earned him the Aeneas Williams Award, recognizing the nation’s top HBCU defensive back, along with First-Team All-American and First-Team All-SWAC honors.

In 2023, Burgess demonstrated another dimension of his playmaking ability, recording two interceptions and returning both for touchdowns.

That is the résumé.

But Saturday night was the translation.

HBCU production → professional opportunity → professional impact.

The Pittman’s Pocket Evaluation

This is exactly the type of performance Pittman’s Pocket believes evaluators should track when studying HBCU prospects.

An interception against professional competition matters.

A pass breakup in a critical fourth-quarter situation matters.

Starting at cornerback and executing against a veteran quarterback matters.

And doing it after establishing yourself at an HBCU matters.

The larger scouting question should not simply be, “Where did the player play?”

The question should be:

“What traits did the player demonstrate, and can those traits translate?”

Burgess is providing another piece of evidence.

From Alabama State to the CFL

The Saskatchewan organization signed Burgess in June after he had previously spent training camp with the Roughriders. Before joining Saskatchewan, he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

Now, the opportunity is becoming production.

His interception against Toronto was his first regular-season CFL pick, but it was not his first interception in a Roughriders uniform—he had also recorded one during Saskatchewan’s preseason finale.

That progression is significant.

Burgess entered the professional ranks without the traditional Power-conference spotlight, but his football ability continued to create opportunities.

Why HBCU Football Matters

This is why HBCU football deserves a more sophisticated scouting conversation.

Players from Alabama State, Jackson State, Florida A&M, Southern, Grambling, Prairie View A&M, South Carolina State, North Carolina A&T and the many other historically Black colleges and universities continue to produce players capable of competing beyond the HBCU level.

Burgess is another case study.

He was an elite HBCU defensive back.

He earned professional opportunities.

And now he’s making plays in the CFL.

For scouts, executives and personnel departments, the message is straightforward:

Don’t scout the logo. Scout the player.

Watch the film.

Study the traits.

Evaluate the competition.

Measure the production.

Then determine whether the player can translate.

James Burgess Jr. is giving professional football another reason to pay attention.

Pittman’s Pocket — HBCU football evaluation through production, traits and professional translation.

A Big Shout-Out

Pittman’s Pocket salutes James Burgess Jr., Alabama State University and the Saskatchewan Roughriders for another outstanding chapter in the HBCU-to-professional football pipeline.

From the SWAC to Saskatchewan, Burgess is doing what football players are supposed to do:

Make plays when the opportunity comes.