Arkansas star wide receiver opts out of Outback Bowl vs. Penn State

STATE COLLEGE — Arkansas will be without arguably its top offensive playmaker when it faces Penn State in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

Razorbacks wide receiver Treylon Burks announced Wednesday that he has “decided to opt out of the bowl game and forego my senior season and declare for the NFL draft” in a social media post.

Burks caught 67 passes for 1,123 yards (16.8 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns for No. 22 Arkansas in 2021. Burks went for at least 100 yards in six games this season, including a performance against No. 1 Alabama that featured eight catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns.

God’s Plan❤️ pic.twitter.com/W3IsS4ValL

— Treylon Burks (@TreylonBurks) December 8, 2021

In his three-year career, Burks caught 147 passes for 2,418 yards (16.4 yards per catch) and 18 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Burks is expected to be a high pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In the latest update for ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Burks is the No. 24 overall prospect and No. 6 wide receiver in the draft. Fellow ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay ranks Burks as the No. 27 overall prospect and No. 6 wide receiver.

BREAKING: Treylon Burks has officially declared for the #NFL Draft, per @MySportsUpdate @RazorbackFB | WR5 in his class pic.twitter.com/BOTXt4m2Cw

— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) December 8, 2021

The second-leading receiver for Arkansas in 2021 was Tyson Morris, who had 21 catches for 305 yards (14.5 yards per catch) and two touchdowns. Still, Razorbacks quarterback K.J. Jefferson presents an interesting matchup for the Penn State defense with both his arm (66.9%, 2,578 yards, 21 touchdowns, three interceptions) and his legs (554 yards, five touchdowns).

Treylon Burks-WR-Uark
6'3/225
Big bodied, mismatch nightmare at WR, with some explosiveness. Would be a stretch for the Chiefs, but he would fit in as a "traditional" type WR that KC has been missing. Strong hands, big catch radius, very fluid in and out of his breaks. pic.twitter.com/izLQgvyUXG

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) December 2, 2021

Burks’ absence will present one fewer headache for the Nittany Lions in the New Year’s Day matchup.

Burks appears to be the first Razorback to opt out of the bowl game. Penn State has yet to have any players announce their intention to sit out the season-ending contest.