Coral Gables' Burns and Anastacio, academically and athletically ready for the next level
By Jerry Williamson
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Senior defensive end Xavier Burns (6-3, 205) of Coral Gables HS (recorded 50 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 force fumble, and 1 fumble recovery as a junior at Miami Killian) is working extremely hard thoroughout seven games this season to recapitulate his status as a premier edge rush specialist after his junior film was eradicated.
The underrated senior, who holds a Division 2 offer from Valdosta State, has bounced back from his film hurdle, and answered the challenge by college football coaches. Burns (#19) has added approximately, 25 pounds of muscle, compared to his once long and lean frame at 175 pounds as a junior. As a senior, Burns (coached by DL coach Terry Doctor) is responsible for 10 Sacks, 41 tackles (6 for losses), 2 force fumbles, and 11 QB Hurries with one game remaining. He has yet, to earn an official verbal offer as Division 1 schools FIU, App St., Cincinnati, and UAB have all expressed interest. Burns (950 SAT and unweighted 2.6) performances this fall, has also caught the attention of additional Division 1 schools such as Louisville, Akron, and Western Kentucky. He's a college qualifier patiently waiting on his first official Division 1 verbal offer. There's another little-known senior who plays with his hand in the dirt, that is a Division 1 talent with film and test scores. Starting offensive guard PJ Anastacio, who stands 6-foot-3, 295 pounds, is everything college football coaches are looking to add in their 2018 recruiting class. Anastacio (coach by former Uni. of Miami OL Alex Pou) excels academically, sporting an eye-opener 3.7 GPA, 27 ACT, and 1280 SAT.
His senior film is versus top-notch competition for instance, Miami Palmetto, South Dade, Miami High, and Miami Booker T. Washington. All programs loaded with FBS recruits. Anastacio, who has posted beyond 35 pancake blocks thus far this season, and is receiving interest from the likes of Division 1 FCS programs: Columbia, Stetson, and Cornell. The unheralded senior is strong as an Ox, both on film, and in the weight room. He has manhandled defenders, tallying 30 pancake blocks as of today. The road grader of a lineman is member of the 1,000 pound club, maxing out at 355 bench, 485 squat, and power clean 285. The City of Coral Gables has other Division 1 prospects other than Derrius Perriman, Gilbert Frierson, Tecory Tutson, and Andre Stringfield. Xavier Burns' Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/profile/6267154/xavier-burns PJ Anastacio' Highlights - http://www.hudl.com/profile/3930693/paulo-anastacio
