FAYETTEVILLE — Treylon Burks undoubtedly fascinated fans across the SEC as a freshman with the unique manner in which he fielded punts.
That amazement even spread to opposing players making up punt coverage units, those singularly tasked with preventing Burks from ripping off his next electric, highlight-reel type moment.
Rewatching Saturday’s game, Auburn players, too, are mesmerized by the way Treylon Burks catches punts: pic.twitter.com/jvMd7PeXdj
— Scottie Bordelon (@NWAScottie) October 22, 2019
On Monday, the sophomore said his all-hands, above-the-head style of hauling in punts may be a thing of the past.
Asked last season about that technique, Burks noted it is something he has done since the early stages of his football career. Receivers coach Justin Stepp, the lone holdover from the Arkansas staff that recruited Burks, and special teams coordinator Scott Fountain are working with him each day on a new method.
“Coach Fountain is still trying to get me to change the way I field the punts and kickoff returns,” Burks said. “I’m getting better at it, but it will take time, like everything.”
Burks, who led Arkansas with 475 receiving yards last fall on 29 catches, said it is a daily battle to not revert back to what he has known for so long. But he is accepting of Fountain’s coaching.
The Warren native fumbled once on punt return duty as a freshman — vs. Colorado State — and finished with 130 return yards, the most by an Arkansas player in a season since Joe Adams' 321 in 2011.
Burks totaled 25-plus punt return yards three times in conference play, including a career-high 35 on two returns against Texas A&M in AT&T Stadium.
“Sometimes I get in that old habit and catch the ball with just my hands,” he said. “But we’ve been working, the team has been working with me to get better at catching the ball like I’m supposed to. I’m going to do it the right way this time.”
During a Zoom conference last week, Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman said Burks was on “every special team” as preseason practices got underway.
"He’s a talented guy. I really like him," Pittman said. "I think he’s a dynamic return guy."
The sophomore feels comfortable playing a role on return teams on top of serving as one of the primary targets in the passing game. Pittman and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles want to find creative ways to get the ball in Burks’ hands, and Burks wants to do everything he can to help the Razorbacks win.
“It doesn’t bother me a lot,” Burks said of his workload. “We condition ourselves every day to be better. The strength staff gets us in that position. So, again, you want to do multiple things.”
In addition to Burks, running back Trelon Smith, receivers De’Vion Warren, Kendall Catalon and Karch Gardiner, and defensive back Nathan Parodi are also getting reps as return men this preseason.