Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Artie Burns has overcome the worst, and now he's ready for the NFL

Published Mar. 30, 2016 5:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The monsoon-like weather during the University of Miami's Pro Day was so miserable Wednesday that one NFL executive admitted to FOXSports.com there was little that could be culled from the player workouts.

Artie Burns, though, let a smile serve as his umbrella. Not only could the Hurricanes cornerback rest upon the blazing 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds posted at last month's NFL Scouting Combine, Burns already weathered a far worse storm personally during his junior season to now see much brighter days ahead.

Burns' mother Dana Smith died last October of a heart attack at the age of 44. Along with his own grieving, Burns became the de facto caretaker of two younger brothers along with his own infant son.

Considering the heavy financial and personal burden suddenly placed upon him, Burns declared himself eligible for April's draft before his senior season. The decision should pay dividends. One NFL insider told FOXSports.com that he projects Burns will be selected in the second round, if he even lasts that long.

"There are so few days but so much you have to do," Burns told FOXSports.com about the pre-draft process after drying off from the rain that soaked the Greentree practice fields where drills were held. "They tell me this is going to be the longest year of my life professionally in the league. I'm just going day by day trying to knock it down.

"I'm able to focus on my body. I feel like I'm looking more lean and muscular. I'm able to watch more film on different corners in the league and different games."

The 6-foot, 193-pound Burns stands out on video himself because of his speed -- he was a track star with the Hurricanes and at Miami Northwestern High School -- as well as the six interceptions he posted in 2015. That marked the highest total by a Hurricanes defender since the late Sean Taylor in 2003.

As for the character questions asked by teams about every player entering the league, what transpired in the aftermath of his mother's passing "said quite a bit," according to Miami Dolphins top football executive Mike Tannenbaum.

How much Burns was beloved by teammates and coaches became evident during the mourning process. Hurricanes fans showed their support when financial assistance was needed for the funeral. An online funding account established by the university quickly raised $40,000 for Burns, whose father continues to serve a lengthy prison sentence in South Carolina for cocaine trafficking.

"His story is remarkable obviously with what he had to go through," said Tannenbaum, who attended Wednesday's Pro Day. "We hear all the same (positive) things about him. I'm sure he's going to have a very good career at the next level."

Burns said he is able to lean upon relatives locally to help him handle family responsibilities as he prepares for the draft. He laughed when asked the key to juggling both.

"They all understand," he said. "My brothers are going through the same steps. They are seeing me do it so they know what to expect when they're time comes."

Time also has allowed the dark clouds to lift from his mother's death.

"Every team asks me about it," Burns said. "That's a big concern -- to see if I'm still mentally stable. But I'm doing good.

"I'm ready."