Jake Burt grew up in the United States with an insider’s appreciation of the CFL.
The former Boston College tight end was born in Regina, where he lived for four years before moving with his family to Boston. That Canadian connection means that Burt is eligible for Tuesday’s CFL draft — for which he is considered among the top prospects — despite spending his formative years in Boston.
“It definitely made the draft more enticing knowing that I was a citizen,” Burt said from his parents’ summer home in Cape Cod, Mass., in advance of Tuesday’s six-round proceedings.
“When I was a kid, I’ve always thought of Saskatchewan as my hometown. I grew up in Boston, but I was always the outsider from Canada. I always took pride in that I’m from Saskatchewan, Canada, and that’s where my family’s from.”
Burt also takes pride in knowing how to properly pronounce “Regina” and “Saskatchewan.”
“That was a pet peeve of mine when people wouldn’t pronounce it right and I learned it very early,” he said. “I have so much pride in Saskatchewan because it’s where I was born and that’s never going to change.”
The 24-year-old Burt hasn’t been to Regina since moving to Boston with his parents, Scott (a former member of the Canadian water polo team) and Dawn.
Scott’s family is from Newfoundland. Dawn is from Regina. Jake’s grandmother (Pat Holzer) on his mother’s side still lives in the Queen City while his grandfather (Don) resides in Victoria. Burt also has three brothers, who reside in Winnipeg and Calgary.
“We didn’t visit Regina because all four of us were busy with the sports and if we went, one would have to miss something,” Burt said. “That’s what brought me to where I am today in that we didn’t have time to visit.”
Burt spent five seasons at Boston College, recording 23 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 36 games. He missed the 2016 season after twice tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
After college, he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent. He spent the 2020 season on the Patriots’ practice roster where he got to know legendary head coach Bill Belichick.
“I’ll never forget it and it’s an experience I’ll always be grateful for, being coached by Coach Belichick,” Burt said. “He’s brilliant and he has the best football mind I’ve ever been around. Just the way he approaches coaching is truly an experience.”
Burt’s stint with the Patriots was the reason why he was a late addition to the CFL draft. He was focused on making the NFL team in 2020 and therefore his name wasn’t submitted for the CFL draft. He was released by the Patriots after the 2020 season and became a free agent.
“The free-agent market hadn’t been that hot for me,” Burt said. “I sat down with my parents and we just talked through how exciting an opportunity the CFL could be for me. Essentially since then, it’s only gotten more and more exciting. At this point, I’m ready to explode and play football in Canada.”
Where Burt will line up on the Canadian field remains to be determined. Tight ends are rarely utilized in the CFL, but the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder feels he can contribute as a receiver, a fullback or running back.
“I could make a big impact as a receiver, but I can come in and do that H-back stuff, too,” Burt said. “I’m hoping we can put a whole new twist on this position. I’m a big receiver who can run like all the other receivers. I’m still big enough do the other things too.”
Burt looks forward to doing all those things in the CFL.
“I know the quality of play is great and I’m going to play in a high-tier professional league,” he said. “I want to prove that I’m best among the best and that’s why I want to go to Canada and do that.
“Everyone’s football journey is different and it’s hard to find a spot anywhere. Just to have this opportunity, to keep playing professional football, is amazing and I’m extremely grateful for it.”
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