Sometimes the best recruits are the ones already in the building. Well, adding a player who spent the first three years of their career in Tucson is the next best thing. On Sunday, it was reported that former Arizona tight end Keyan Burnett is returning to the Wildcats after transferring to Kansas in December. Pete Nakos of On3.com reported it first.
Burnett spent the last four months in Lawrence with the Kansas Jayhawks, but re-entered the transfer portal on April 28 following the conclusion of spring camp.
The 6-foot-6, 248-pound tight end was a member of Arizona’s lauded 2022 recruiting class featuring fellow Servite High School alumni Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. In three years in Tucson, Burnett appeared in 30 games, hauling in 24 receptions for 261 yards and a touchdown. He broke out during the 2024 season, securing 18 receptions for 217 yards and his lone touchdown.
With Tetairoa McMillan off to the Carolina Panthers and the NFL Draft, Burnett could be one of Fifita’s top targets next season with the relationship and chemistry the two already have. Burnett already has a relationship with new offensive coordinator Seth Doege as well. Before flipping his commitment to Arizona, Burnett originally committed to USC, when Doege was the tight ends coach.
After spring camp, Doege said he was looking to add another tight end via the transfer portal to give Josh Miller and his room some additional depth. With Keyan Burnett returning to Arizona, the Wildcats’ tight end room now features Burnett, Sam Olson, Tyler Powell, and Cam Barmore.