Troy running back Brandon Burks signed as a priority free agent with the Green Bay Packers on Saturday.

Burks started watching the 2016 draft the same way any other NFL prospect would, with hopes of being selected by an NFL franchise. Shortly after the draft concluded, Burks received a call of a lifetime.

“I was so excited and I was speechless,” Burks said. “I have the opportunity to go and live my dream. It didn’t hit me at first, but during the rest of the day I was excited and having fun with my family.”

The Daleville native had a career year as a senior for the Trojans. He rushed for 1,005 yards and averaged five yards a carry. Burks scored seven touchdowns this past season and finished with a total of 12 in his career.

Burks now will get set to head north on Sunday for a three-day camp and he hopes to compete for playing time with the Packers.

“They told me that I could really help them and that I could make the 53-man roster,” Burks said. “I am going to have to work hard to stand out.”

Having a chance to play in the NFL has been a dream ever since he was a young kid playing in middle school.

“Me and my best friend used to talk about how much we wanted to make it to the league,” Burks said. “As a kid I was thinking about this day, and it came true. I am excited because of all the hard work and dedication that I put in.”

That hard work began in high school, when he played under former Daleville and current Charles Henderson head coach Brad McCoy.

Burks admits he would not be where he is without the tutelage of all of his former coaches.

“It all started with McCoy,” Burks said. “When I got to Daleville he made me a running back. He put a lot of trust in me in the backfield and gave me a lot of opportunities. Coming to Troy, it didn’t start the way I wanted it to, but I worked my butt off … Coach (Neal) Brown sat me down and told me I need to be a captain and a leader for the team. He told me he was going to give me the ball. He gave me opportunities.”

After graduation, Burks will head to Wisconsin on Sunday and then head back for camp in July. Burks is more than excited to see and be a part of his first camp.

“I can’t explain it, it’s going to be a mind blowing experience,” Burks said. “I can’t wait. I want to get there and get my foot in the door and show them what kind of guy they got.”

He hopes the hard work he showed in high school and college will carry over with the Packers.

“I am going to put in as much work as possible,” Burks said. “I am going to try and be the first one in and the last one to leave … I just want them to know that I am doing all I can for the opportunity that they gave me.”