#2
MARCUS BURLEY
Year: Senior
Position:
Defensive Back
Height /Weight: 5-10 / 190
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
High School:
Highland Springs HS
Major: Sport Management
• 2012 Delaware Season Statistics
At Delaware: Fifth-year senior and the most experienced member of a talented secondary unit that ranks among the best in the FCS • one of four returning starters from a group that combined to intercept 18 passes and break-up 36 others a year ago • named a second team All-CAA pre-season pick by the College Sporting News • ranked as the No. 20 cornerback in the nation by CSN • teams with junior Travis Hawkins to give Delaware one of the top cornerback duos in the nation • exceptional athlete with great speed and instincts • has appeared in 37 career games with 22 starts and recorded 142 tackles (100 solo) to go with three tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, and four interceptions • team's active leader with 17 passes defended • can also return punts • had two tackles in spring game.
2011 Season: Put in another solid season in the defensive secondary for Delaware as a junior • as one of the veteran leaders, started all 11 games at cornerback and earned third team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors • played key role in Delaware leading the CAA and ranking No. 8 in the nation in passing efficiency defense (103.88) • ranked No. 5 on the team in tackles with 44, including 28 solo stops and one tackle for loss • ranked second on the team with seven pass breakups and also intercepted two passes for 18 yards • had five or more tackles four times with season-high eight vs. Old Dominion • also had five stops vs. Delaware State, William & Mary, and Massachusetts • intercepted a pass in season opener vs. Navy and added a second pick and returned it 18 yards against Old Dominion • also returned two punts for no yards (vs. Navy and Old Dominion) • team went 7-4 for head coach K.C. Keeler.
2010 Season: Enjoyed outstanding sophomore season for the Blue Hens • played in all 15 games, starting five of the first seven contests before giving way to All-CAA selection Darryl Jones • recorded a tackle in each of the 15 games he played • played key role in covering punts and kickoffs as well • collected 47 total tackles, good enough for No. 8 on the team, including 33 solo tackles • had three solo stops in the season opener vs. West Chester • tied career-high tackle mark when he recorded nine tackles vs. South Dakota State • collected eight tackles the next week vs. Duquesne • named Blue Hen Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Game vs. Rhode Island when he recorded three tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, and two interceptions for 49 yards • his interception with 1:42 left thwarted the Rams' game-tying drive attempt • key contributor on punt coverage as a gunner • Delaware defense led the nation in scoring defense at 12.1 points per game and ranked No. 5 in total defense (280.7 yards per game) • team went 12-3 and advanced to the FCS national title game under Keeler.
2009 Season: Had a solid rookie campaign on his way to playing in all 11 games as a redshirt freshman • started six games and was a valuable fill-in when injuries hit other members of the unit • finished No. 7 on the Blue Hens in tackles with 51 • had 39 solo tackles • earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors after win over Massachusetts as he recorded seven tackles and returned a fumble recovery 42 yards for a his first career touchdown to give Hens a 20-0 lead • recorded five or more tackles on six occasion for the Blue Hen defense • recovered another fumble in loss vs. Villanova • registered six tackles and a forced fumble in victory over Hofstra • career-high nine tackles came in game vs. William & Mary when he made his first career start in place of Tyrone Grant • contributed to special teams as a return man and defender on punt return • returned five punts for 35 yards (7.0 avg.) and had team’s longest punt return of the season with a 20-yarder vs. James Madison • team went 6-5 for Keeler.
2008 Season: Did not see game action as a true freshman and retained freshman eligibility • team went 4-8 under Keeler.
High School: Played at Highland Springs High School for head coach Scott Burton • competed in football and track and field • played cornerback, kick returner, and punt returner in football • led team to a 10-0 record and the Capital District title in 2007 • team also won title in 2006 and has qualified for the Central Region playoffs seven straight years • team has had several defensive backs earn Division I scholarships • as a senior intercepted four passes and collected 29 tackles and returned five kicks for touchdowns • averaged 33.0 yards on 25 returns for the season • named first team Virginia High School Coaches Association All-State, first team Associated Press All-State, and Virginia Preps honorable mention All-State as a senior as a defensive back • first team Richmond Times Dispatch All-Metro, first team All-Capital District as both a defensive back and kick returner • in track, was a two-time Capital District 400 meter champion and also won title in the 200 meters in 2008 • team was two-time Capital District champions • honor roll student • high school football teammate of 2011 Delaware co-captain Andrew Harrison.
Personal: Marcus Ray Burley • born July 16, 1990 • son of Charles and Marcella Burley • has a younger sister • sport management major at Delaware with a minor in leadership • competed in the U.S. Junior National Track & Field Championships as a 10-year old • enjoys playing video games in his spare time • has worked at Covenant Woods Retirement Home and at the front desk of the Christiana Commons dorms at UD during the summer • cousin, Herbert Turner, played college football for three seasons.
Career Statistics at Delaware
| Year | GP/GS | Tackles (Solo) | TFL-Yards | Sacks-Yards | PB | Int. | FR/FF |
| 2011 | 11/11 | 44 (28) | 1-7 | 0-0 | 7 | 2 | 0/0 |
| 2010 | 15/5 | 47 (33) | 0.5-1 | 0-0 | 5 | 2 | 0/0 |
| 2009 | 11/6 | 51 (39) | 1.5-1 | 0-0 | 1 | 0 | 2/1 |
| Totals | 37/22 | 142(100) | 3-9 | 0-0 | 13 | 4 | 2/1 |
Career-High Tackles: 9 vs. William & Mary, 2009
