Gary Cosby Jr. – USA Today SportsHe did not win a College Football Playoff National Championship at the University of a, but Jermaine Burton transferred to a program that helped him get drafted to the National Football League.

Burton, a California native, was selected in the third round (No. 80 overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Draft.

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After helping the University of Georgia to a national title in 2021, Burton transferred to Alabama and spent his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He became the go-to target for quarterback Jalen Milroe in 2023, leading the Tide for receiving yards (798) and touchdowns (eight).

Burton finished second on the team in receptions with 39. He assisted Alabama to a Southeastern Conference Championship in 2023, dethroning a two-time national champion in Georgia. Burton completed his tenure with 79 receptions for 1,475 yards and 15 touchdowns.He had the same number of scores in two years that Jameson Williams (2021) did in one season in Tuscaloosa.

He signed his rookie contract on Tuesday for the Bengals as Burton is now in OTAs.

According to Spotrac, Burton’s deal is four years, $5.8 million. He has a signing bonus of $1.053 million. Burton will have a base salary of $795,000 with his signing bonus of $1.053 million as a rookie. The number will grow to $1.85 million in year four.

Burton has an opportunity to catch passes from Joe Burrow as the No. 3 option at wide receiver.