SMU quarterback cleared

by **PonyPride** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:49 pm

Freshman quarterback Neal Burcham received medical clearance this week to engage in all football-related activities as he and the rest of the Mustangs prepare for the 2012 season.

Burcham tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee in the 10th game of his senior season at Greenbrier (Ark.) High School when he was "slung to the ground" by a defender. He had surgery to repair the torn ligament.

Burcham said he began light running in a straight line three months after surgery, and began full-speed running a couple of months ago. He was among the freshmen who joined their teammates for conditioning running Thursday at Ford Stadium.

by **Hoofprint** » Thu Jul 05, 2012 7:03 pm

Like everyone here, I hope there's no need to even consider letting him take a single snap this year, but I'm glad his knee is healthy so he can begin practicing next month and learning the offense.

by **Pony Up** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:19 am

Glad he's feeling OK. I'm not sure why, but I get the sense Burcham will be the heir apparent to Garrett Gilbert.

by **mrydel** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 7:08 am

Arkansas has a pretty good group of QBs but the local sports talk shows still mention Burcham as one that got away.

by **Mexmustang** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:31 pm

For a moment I thought this was the UT site, and our QB had be cleared from some criminal charge...

by **SMU 86** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 2:02 pm

Good news for sure.

by **Mexmustang** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 2:38 pm

I also believe this kid can be special--he definitely has something to prove.

by **ojaipony** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:36 pm

Would like to see him on the field in about 2 more years after this redshirt year. Learn, grow stronger. Hope we get to have that luxury.

by **Arkpony** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:37 pm

This kid can play. Watch out!

by **Higher Authority** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 2:56 am

Can't wait to see him play ... after Gilbert graduates.

by **Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:17 pm

Glad to hear he is ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeYgB_kCTeE

by **Hilltopper** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:13 pm

Hope he adds 15 or 20 pounds of muscle before he takes over the job.

by **Digetydog** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:15 pm

When I saw the headline, I assumed someone had been arrested and the "cleared."

by **westexSMU** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 2:03 pm

Here is a guy who looks super talented on his video,and he proved that winning the Elite 11 in California against higher rated QBs at the event. Vince Young won that event several years ago, as an example. I have wondered why Burcham did not have more offers, but I saw his video signing with SMU, where his HS Coach says that this is the first time a player from his high school had ever signed with a D1 school. So I figure many schools just don't have coaches recruiting their school. Good for SMU..

by **Junior** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 2:03 pm

Digetydog wrote:When I saw the headline, I assumed someone had been arrested and the "cleared."

did you think you were on orangebloods?