Andalusia (Ala.) High four-star running back J’Marion Burnette announced his commitment to new head coach Willie Fritz and Houston on Monday following an official visit to campus over the weekend.
247Sports tabs Burnette as the No. 19 running back in the 2024 class. He is a former Auburn commit that also strongly considered Arkansas and Missouri.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pound Burnette has a strong relationship with Houston defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge who was part of the Auburn staff when he was in the fold for them. He also clicked with running backs coach Jordy Joseph.
“It’s just the energy they brought,” Burnette told 247Sports.
“When I committed to Auburn, Coach Etheridge was a big part of that. He’s been there for a while and always brings the energy. It was everything you want to see and he keeps it straight-up 100 with everything.”
Burnette is commit No. 16 for Houston in the 2024 class. In his prep career he rushed for 4,476 yards and 39 touchdowns in 37 games. He averaged over seven yards per carry and added three more receiving scores.
Burnette is excited about this program under Fritz.
“First they’re going to run the ball I see,” Burnette stated. “Coach Fritz he’s real. I enjoyed the official visit so much. It was a big part of it. He just put out a lot of positive energy and he’s really going to turn the program around. He did good at Tulane and will do even better at Houston.
“Just the energy they put out. It was basically they were with me all the time. They made me feel at home and it was really just, I was basically home away from home. That was the first time I got a feeling like that. Coach Etheridge, Coach Joseph and Coach Fritz they made sure I was feeling at home the whole time.”
Burnette will put pen to paper during Wednesday’s National Signing Day.
“It’s a beautiful city,” Burnette said. “ A lot of nice people around. I got a good opportunity to go in and play. I just think it fits me best.”
