TRENTON “TJ” BURKHALTER, JR. IS AS VERSATILE AS THEY COME.

The junior DE for Klein Forest has established himself as one of the program’s top competitors on the gridiron, having earned second-team, all- district honors in 2022.

Given all the college camps he’s attended, Burkhalter may have the chance to play at the next level, holding offers from Mississippi Valley State and Midwestern State.

While he hopes to hear from more colleges in the coming months, Burkhalter’s primary focus still remains at home.

“For me, I’m really more focused on the team right now,” he said. “I want to help us make it to the playoffs. With recruiting, if I do well during the season and get some offers, I’d be excited. But the team is the top priority right now.”

It’s no secret that the Klein Forest football program will look slightly different now that coach Darrick Vaughn has
taken the reins. However, Burkhalter feels that this will give him and his teammates the opportunity to thrive in a new system.