Burton attended Highland Springs High School, where he was an all-state, all-district and all-region selection as an outside linebacker.
His eight sacks during the season at the time tied him for seventh on the school's single-season record list.
He started 2 of the last 3 games at middle linebacker because of injuries to Eugene Lockhart, finishing with 29 tackles.
He played in 5 games before being lost for the year with a knee injury he suffered against the Buffalo Bills.
He was the linebackers coach at the Indiana University for five seasons (1997-01) where he was responsible for the development of two Butkus Award nominees, Justin Smith and Jabar Robinson.
The 2011's inexperienced group at the beginning of the season became a strength with multiple freshmen playing significant snaps.
In 2010, he led Rick Ricketts to an all-conference year and defensive most valuable player honors in the Independence Bowl.
In 2009, Burton led senior Ben Garland to all-conference honors and a free agent signing with the Denver Broncos in the NFL.
[8] A native of Highland Springs, Virginia, Burton and his wife, Andrea, have four children, Ronald, Ryan, Roya and Reid.