Austin Peay State University Athletics

Awards and Honors:
Athletic Director's Honor Roll (S23)

2022: Played in nine games, starting all of them at wide receiver… Had four catches for 54 yards in his Austin Peay debut at Western Kentucky (Aug. 27)… Hauled in a touchdown in three-straight games against Presbyterian (Sept. 3), Mississippi Valley State (Sept. 10), and Alabama A&M (Sept. 17)... The 56-yard and 58-yard touchdown receptions against MVSU and AAMU were part of a team-best three 50-plus yard receiving touchdowns… Had a career day against Murray State (Oct. 15) with 10 receptions for 117 and a 78-yard touchdown grab – the longest scoring catch by a Governor in 2022… Made eight catches for 93 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown reception at North Alabama (Nov. 5)… Finished the season with 39 catches for 517 yards and five touchdowns – all ranked second on the team… His five touchdown receptions were tied for seventh in the ASUN.

Prior to Austin Peay: Played three seasons at Miami University (2019-21). 2021: Played in four games… Had one reception for 17 yards against Long Island University (Sept. 18). 2020: Played in all three games during COVID-19 shortened season… Had one catch for 16 yards in the season-opener against Ball State (Nov. 4). 2019: Played in 12 games, making three starts… Finished the year with 20 catches for 506 yards and one touchdown… Ended the season with 25.3 yards per reception, tops in the nation among freshman wide receivers… Had eight catches for at least 35 yards in length during the season… Had three catches for 83 yards against Buffalo (Sept. 28)… Caught a 45-yard touchdown versus Northern Illinois (Oct. 19)… Had a season-long 63-yard catch versus Louisiana-Lafayette in the LendingTree Bowl (Jan. 6).

High School: Graduated from Rocky River High School where he was coached by Orlando Gray… Had 25 catches for 452 yards and three touchdowns his senior season… Added 150 yards and three touchdowns on the ground… Named his conference’s offensive player of the year.

Personal: James Thomas Burns is the son of Kimberly Burns… Birthday is April 27… Has three siblings: Hillary, Jada, and Yazmyn… A general studies major.