Nate Burleson II following dad's path to play football at Nevada

Nate Burleson II, Ramapo's multi-sport standout, is following in his father's footsteps.

Burleson signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play football where his father, Nate, earned All-American honors: at the University of Nevada.

"When I went there, it felt like home, it felt like a place where I was comfortable," Burleson said Thursday. "I love the coaches, and I love what they have there."

The Wolf Pack compete in the Mountain West Conference, and the 6-foot-3, 160-pound receiver's list of potential colleges also included Portland State, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University.

Burleson's dad set school receiving records and earned All-America honors at Nevada before embarking on an 11-year NFL career from 2003-2013 that included three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and four apiece with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions. The elder Burleson is currently an analyst on the NFL Network.

"I would just say I have to break all his [school] records," Burleson said. "It's definitely a lot of pressure behind it, and I have to work for everything, but I have to do better than he did there. That's my goal."

Ramapo went 8-3 this past season and Burleson was part of a high-powered offense that averaged a North Jersey-leading 40.0 points game and reached the North 1, Group 4 final.

Burleson transferred from nearby Don Bosco, so he had to sit a state-mandated 30 days and missed the first four games, but he caught five TD passes in the final seven games. He caught his last TD in a 49-42 overtime loss to defending champion North Highlands in the North 1, Group 4 final.

Burleson is also a standout basketball player. He, along with his younger brother, Nehemiah, helped Ramapo reach last season's NJSIAA Group 3 final. He is among four returning starters and one of North Jersey's best 3-point shooters. He did not play in their first three games this season due to a knee injury.

"I should be back in the upcoming week or two," Burleson said.