Burks was a prominent
running back for the
Alabama Crimson White of the
University of Alabama from
1902 to
1906. He was said to be the school's "first running back hero" who would "carry whole teams on his back." In 1915,
John Heisman selected his 30 best Southern football players, and Burks was mentioned 16th. He was nominated though not selected for an
Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869-1919 era team. At Alabama he was a member of the
Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Burks starred in the opening win of 17 to 0 over
Maryville. A number of Alabama turnovers kept the game scoreless through halftime.
T. S. Sims scored the first touchdown and Burks added a 95-yard return for a touchdown. "The overworked Burks, who appeared to bear the entire brunt of Alabama's offense," collapsed on the field during the second half of a 12 to 5 loss to
Georgia Tech. Burks scored in the 30 to 0 victory over Auburn in what was then the largest crowd ever to see a game in Birmingham (4,000).
1906 In the
Iron Bowl of 1906 he scored all of Alabama's points in a 10 to 0 victory. ==High school football==