Amari Burney, No. 2, reacts to his game-clinching interception in the season opener against Utah. (Photo: Emma Bissell/UAA Communications)
Gators Q&A: Senior Linebacker Amari Burney
Thursday, November 10, 2022 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Chris Burney, the father of Gators senior linebacker Amari Burney, likes to tell a story about how when his son was in high school, he watched an episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" that showed then-Texans star J.J. Watt's sleeping habits.
Watts often went to bed early so he could rise before the sun and be in top form. Soon, Amari started going to bed at 8 p.m. as a rising standout at Calvary Christian High in Clearwater.
Of course, there are times to stay up late. Times like the season opener against Utah, when Burney picked off a pass in the end zone in the final seconds to seal Florida's 29-26 over the Utes.
Burney's postgame party in the wee hours of Sunday morning sounds like a blast — and a good story to tell one day.
"I can't even tell you that — I'm gonna keep it a secret,'' Burney told reporters Wednesday. "After the Utah game we went out and had a little fun. I can't tell you what we did, but we got turnt up a little bit."
Hey, guys just want to have fun, too.
A fifth-year senior who played from the start of his UF career, Burney is one of three starters on Florida's defense playing in their final home game on Saturday. Burney, linebacker Ventrell Miller and safety Trey Dean III have been through a lot of ups and downs together. They hope to close with a victory over South Carolina and another good story to share one day.
Unlike Miller and Dean, Burney has no plans to participate in Senior Day ceremonies prior to the game at The Swamp. He did that last year.
Here is a Q&A with Burney as he prepares to run onto Florida Field for the final time: AMARI BURNEY Q&A
Q:When you went through Senior Day last year did you think it might be your last year? A: Not really. I kind of already talked with Coach about it last year and my parents. We had a COVID year and it was in my best interest to come back.
Q:What are your emotions going into this game? A: Very high. I'm not the type of person to cry, but I'm just going to feel some type of way just knowing that this is my last game in The Swamp. The freshmen that came in, they are like brothers to me already. I told Shemar [James] I'm going to cry ... I'm just happy to have been here for this long and just want to go out with a bang.
Gators linebacker Amari Barney. (Photo: Ashley Ray/UAA Communications)
Q:Did you cry last year? A: No, because I knew I was going to be back.
Q:Was the interception against Utah your most memorable moment? A: I would say that was my most memorable moment, most exciting moment that I had, just to end a game like that, the first game of the Coach Napier era. Just to go out with a big win like that, at The Swamp, sellout crowd, yeah, I could say that's my biggest memory.
Q:What's the bond like between you, Trey and Ventrell? A: The bond is very, very strong. I mean, we can joke with each other, we can yell at each other, we can cuss at each other, we can fight with each other, but at the end of the day, we know that we've always got to be for each other. The way we talk to each other, it's like brothers, like we've been together for five. I've been with Ventrell for five, I've been with Trey for five, just the way we interact with each other, the way we hang out with each other, it's a very close bond.
Q:Where is the defense's confidence after the second-half performance last week? A: I feel like it's a big confidence. I can see us flying around in practice. We're having a little more fun in practice. People are not taking it as we have to practice, we get to practice out there so knowing what we did in the second half against Texas A&M, and knowing what we can do for 60 minutes instead of 30 minutes is like a big factor for us on defense.
Q:What has been Ventrell's impact on the team? A: Ventrell has meant everything to this program. The last two years he's been kind of dinged up a little bit, but just him still being here, still coming back, and anytime he's been on the field he's been producing. He's been a leader. I tell Ventrell everyday that I'm very grateful for him. He makes me better. When we're on the field, we're really competing with each other. When I make a play, I tell him it's time for him to make a play. We just feed of each other's energy, and I know when I've got 51 beside me, I'm invincible.
Q:What about Trey's impact? A: Trey Dean brings a lot of swagger and energy to the program. He's a guy that's gonna flex and talk his stuff. I'm not really a big talker on the field, but I know when I make a play I've got Trey Dean to talk for me. Trey Dean's gonna let them have it. Just knowing he's going to back you up is a big factor.
Q:What is the importance of losing to South Carolina last season? A: We always owe somebody one when they get us the year before . We took a lot from it, but I feel like last year is last year and this year is this year. Two different teams, and we've got a new coaching staff, so I feel like what happened last year doesn't play too big of a factor. We're just trying to go out there and win a game.
Q:How did the seniors buy into a new coaching staff this season? A: It was a big thing for the seniors, and I feel like the younger guys follow what the seniors do. If we're not respecting the coaches — if we're not following what he's doing, then we're saying 'we don't really care and this junk is some bull and why are we doing this?' — I feel like the young guys are going to follow our lead. But when Coach Napier got here and Coach Hocke got here and Coach PT got here, I think they saw the seniors buy in. We were buying in more than anybody else. We told them 'We're gonna lock in.' Just having the young guys follow our lead, I think it brought the team closer together.
