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ATHENS, Ohio-- Spring camp is well underway for the Ohio football team, but there are two familiar faces missing from the tight end room.

Athens natives Adam and Ryan Luehrman are no longer on the roster for the first time since 2016 and with the two veterans gone, redshirt senior Alec Burton is ready to take the lead.

The Danville, Ind. native understands the system that Ohio has in place and has grown into a leader as the most experienced tight end on the team.

"We're getting to a point now where this is Alec's fourth year," tight ends coach Brian Metz said. "He's been here for four years, he's got a lot of wisdom, he's seen a lot of reps. So, he's being able to step up into that role and shepherd the younger guys and serve as a leader in the room.

Last season Burton played in all 12 games, but mostly took on a blocking role. He caught seven passes for 54 yards all season. Now in his last season, he is looking poised for a breakout season with a new number as he changed back to his old high school jersey, number two.

"It's been a weird four or five years for me here with the COVID year and the Luehrmans and everything like that," Burton said. "So I'm just trying to prove to myself to make sure I can be the best that I can, and show the team that I can do a lot of things. Receiving the ball and blocking and doing the best I can to make my statement."

Burton has a football mind, and a deep understanding of the Bobcats' offense, which is one of the things he likes to help out the younger guys with. He also says that getting the basics and fundamentals down is one of the challenges he helps his younger teammates with, as they transition from high school to college.

One of the things that makes him a good leader is how much he cares for his teammates, as he's patiently waited for his opportunity to play.

"He is very passionate about football, wants to be great, has put in the work to be great and has really been patient in working toward his opportunity," Metz said. "He is somebody that deeply cares about football, cares about his teammates and he's a joy to coach."

On the other side of Burton is his teammate Tyler Foster, a redshirt junior from Pickerington, Ohio. Where Burton is a quieter, Foster is more of the jokester in the room. Both are hungry for their time to get an opportunity.

According to Metz, the pair has seamlessly transitioned into those leadership roles and are helping along the less experienced players like sophomores Will Kacmarek (St. Louis, Mo.) and Bryce Butler (Bowie, Md.).

As the offseason progresses, it will become more clear what role Burton will have in the offense. But the biggest compliment the redshirt senior can get came from his coach.

"I'm glad that he's a Bobcat."

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