AUBURN, Ala. | When Marquis Burks learned that the circumstances of the pandemic had given him an extra year to continue his career as a defensive lineman at Auburn, it was an easy choice.“I feel like we have much more to accomplish and last season was only a sneak peek,” Burks said.
Burks’ favorite memory from last season was beating Ole Miss 31-20 at home, an experience he’s working hard to duplicate this fall. “I want to improve on stopping the run and actually work on my pass rushing techniques,” said Burks, who aspires to earn all-conference honors this season.
An interdisciplinary studies major, focusing on business and sports communication, Burks is on track go graduate before the 2022 season.
“I’ve learned a lot about hard work and time management and how to take care of my responsibilities,” he said.
When Burks first visited Auburn in December 2019, he sensed something special.
“Everybody was nice, and I felt like I was meant to be here,” he said.
Originally from Chicago, Burks texts each of his four siblings before each game. His younger brother, C.J., has a passion for sports, and another sibling, sister Kaziah, wants to follow Marquis’ footsteps by attending Auburn.