BURG Sports Network

Ryan Burns Interview

 

1.     Who was your biggest role model growing up?

 

Since my family moved around a lot, I was lucky to have a ton of different role models. My parents have been my main role models from the start, but I had so many coaches, trainers, and mentors throughout the years that it's impossible to pick just one.

 

2.     What was it like coming from Wyoming to Ashburn, Virginia? What most excited you as a freshman to be part of the Stone Bridge football program?

 

I lived in Jackson, Wyoming where the closest high school was over an hour away, so Virginia was very different and a bit of a culture shock, but it didn't take long for me to love it. It definitely helped that I jumped into football a couple weeks after moving.

 

I remember just being really excited about the reputation Stone Bridge football had, and I was just looking forward to being a part of something that special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.     What was it like to play for Coach Mickey Thompson and David Shaw? What was the biggest thing they taught you?

 

Coach Thompson and Coach Shaw had very different coaching styles, but were both great in their own ways. Thompson was more vocal during practices and commanded a lot of respect, but also knew how lighten the mood when need be. The thing I probably learned from him the most was what it meant to play tough and selflessly. 

 

Shaw was much more reserved and was the kind of coach that would choose to have quiet, personal conversations with you about your game and your life rather than yelling. The biggest things he taught me were how to play calm and how to be a well-rounded man.

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4.     What was your favorite game that you played at Stone Bridge

 

Battle of the Burn junior year. Nothing's better than beating your cross-town rival in OT after being down 0-24 at half... That game taught me that no game is truly ever over until it's over, and it gave me confidence in games we were losing all the way through college.

 

6.     What was the experience like to have been a part of the US Army All-American Bowl game and to have the special assembly with the US Army Bowl staff along with your former teammate Jonathan Allen?

 

That was just such a cool honor. The special assembly was a little weird and awkward (no one wants that much attention on themselves!), but it was cool nonetheless. The game itself was my first taste at what it was like to play in front of huge crowd, so that was exciting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.     What was your experience like participating in the Elite 11 camps?

 

I think I only went to one of the regional camps, and couldn't go to the final because we had our yearly 7 on 7 tournament at UVA, but it was fun. I do think that's way too much attention for a high school kid though (especially when they're playing in shorts).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. How did it feel to be named as the starting quarterback during your senior year?  What was it like to be the first Pac-12 quarterback since Aaron Rogers to have a first career start with 10 straight pass completions?

 

It obviously felt great to win the starting job. I'd had a ton of ups and downs throughout my career and thought that I might never get any meaningful reps at Stanford, so it was really emotional. The 10-straight was cool, but not that special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.     What was it like to go on the road to play in one the biggest Stanford rivals at Notre Dame? What was it like to play under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium and to see the legendary Golden Dome and Touchdown Jesus?

 

That was always my favorite away stadium and atmosphere. It was awesome being able to play on that field and walk away with a win. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.  What was it like to go out one last time on your Senior Day at Stanford with your family and friends and to get to run out of the tunnel one last time?

 

I actually had two senior days because I did a 5th year. The first one was definitely more emotional because most of the guys in my class were my closest friends, and a lot of them weren't coming back the following year. I still wasn't even sure if I was coming back either. The second senior day was much easier because I already had a practice run!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. What it like to receive a rookie camp invite from the Jackson Jaguars?

 

I was just really thankful for the opportunity. The last season and a half of my Stanford career was really rough, so I was just pumped someone gave me a shot. It was awesome to be able to work with their staff and get coached up by Doug Marrone and Tom Coughlin.

 

14. What it like to be part of a great group of quarterbacks from Loudoun County High Schools with you, Trace Mcsorley, Daniel Smith, and Connor Jessop all part of part of the NFL or big time NCAA programs?

 

It's been really cool to see what we've all been able to do coming out of Ashburn -- especially Trace. Not to take anything away from the other guys, but Trace has always been doubted for his size, and the fact that's he's been the most successful out of all of us is just awesome.

 

15. What would you tell incoming freshman at Stone Bridge and Stanford, or any high school and college, who are planning to play football?  

 

I could list a ton of different things, but the biggest would be to strive to be the hardest worker on your team in the weight room, film room, practice field, and class room. I think it's also really important to earn respect through your actions before trying to earn it through your words when you first arrive.

 

16. What was it like to have another local Loudoun County player, former Briar Woods player Alex Carter, as your teammate?

 

Alex is the man! We've knew each other personally through a mutually friend during high school, so it was great to have a familiar face around. It definitely made the 3,000 mile move a lot easier.