AUBURN, Ala. – Chicago native Marquis Burks came to Auburn with big goals in mind. Burks' ultimate goal is to play in the NFL, but not without bringing an SEC championship and bowl game trophy home to the Plains first.
For Burks, it is all about the grind. He admitted that when the time comes to leave Auburn he is going to miss "just going out there and grinding with my brothers and playing football."
A transfer from Iowa Central Community College, where he was part of ICCAC and Kinney Cup championships and earned an associate's degree in liberal arts, Burks immediately connected with the Auburn family, and even more specifically the family within the team.
"Auburn family means having each other's back no matter what, no matter where you're at," said Burks, expressing appreciation for Auburn's elevation of hard work in all areas.
With the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic, opportunities to play are no longer guaranteed. Thus, Burks is grateful for the chance new head coach Bryan Harsin has given him.
"They've really put me in good positions to win," the defensive lineman said.
Transferring into a new program in a different region of the country, adapting to Covid protocols and restrictions, and a coaching change – Burks has handled many changes during the past 18 months. Through it all, Burks has not let his mindset falter. In fact, he believes the Covid-19 situation was beneficial for him as it gave him more time to better his game.
"Be coachable and grind it out every day," he said.
There is a different mental strength needed to play at this level, especially during what is being termed the 'Covid year,' not only the physical aspect of the SEC but also balancing academic demands. Burks preaches mental toughness and waking up each day with the positive mindset to do it all again.
The defensive tackle attributes his success in football as well as in life to his father Cinque, his biggest fan.
"He threw a lot of common sense in there, but he also threw a lot of street smarts in there, too," Burks said. "He taught me how to be a man."
Football has taught Burks, an interdisciplinary studies major, many life lessons. A central lesson, one which will transcend into the workplace and life after college, is always doing your best.
"It's really a make-or-break business," he said. "It [football] really gets you ready for the real world because, if you are not doing your job, somebody is going to take your job."
Burks played in five games for the Tigers last season, recording four total tackles and one sack against LSU.
In football, as in life, there is always someone lined up behind you ready to take your spot.
Even in the face of challenge, Burks remains poised and ready to compete at a high level. He remains focused by remembering his 'why' -- his younger siblings, two brothers (Cinque Jr. and Jeremiah) and two sisters (Janiya and Kaziah).
Even though he may not frequently see his Chicago family, he checks on them regularly and remains grounded and focused on excelling in the classroom and on the field knowing he is working for something bigger than himself.
Before every game, before the team goes to the field, Burks said he sends his siblings a text saying he loves them "because I really play the game for them, so they can have a better way of living and not have to grow up with the struggles I had to grow up with."
Family is very important to Burks and he considers himself to have added a larger one at Auburn. Instead of traveling home to see his family during a holiday break, Burks often goes home with teammates, saying, "It's like having a whole other family every other break."
Burks' goal for this upcoming year is to have a good season. "I bought in to the weight program," he said. "Guys are stronger than we've ever been. We're moving more weight than we've ever done, and we're bigger now."
Under Coach Harsin and the new staff, coordination and communication will be vital to achieve the goals Burks and his teammates have set.
"You have to have everyone on the same page with the same motivation, all in, going into work every day," he said.Marquis Burks works against Nick Brahms in practice
Jen Dietrich is a student worker in Auburn Athletics media relations