Local product has appeared in 36-straight games for the Mountaineers ... brings great quickness and athleticism to the nose tackle position ... settled into a role as a pass-rush specialist last season, seeing most of his action on third downs and long-yardage situations ... enters the season listed as Appalachian State’s co-starter at nose tackle with run-stuffer junior Tyson Fernandez.

2014: Saw action in all 12 games as a nose tackle ... played primarily on third downs and long-yardage situations ... amassed 15 tackles ... after a slow start, recorded all 15 of his tackles in the final eight games of the year ... recorded season highs with three stops in back-to-back games against South Alabama and Liberty ... had two tackles and was in on a stop behind the line of scrimmage in snowy shutout win over Georgia State ... had a quarterback hurry in victory at Arkansas State ... closed season with two tackles against Idaho.

2013: Played in all 12 games ... made lone start of the season in finale against Western Carolina ... amassed 28 tackles, good for third on the team among defensive linemen ... four tackles for loss were good for seventh on the squad ... started out the season strong with 23 of his 28 tackles coming in the first six games ... started the year with a season-high six tackles at Montana, including one for loss ... had four stops, including one behind the line of scrimmage, in win at Elon ... racked up five tackles against run-happy Charleston Southern ... had three stops each in back-to-back games against The Citadel and Samford ... slowed down statisically over the final six games of the campaign with just five stops and no more than one in any game ... recorded lone sack of the season in penultimate contest at Wofford.

2012: Appeared in all 12 games … started 10 games at nose tackle … named to the Southern Conference all-freshman team … amassed 37 total tackles (11th on team), including 4.5 for loss (tied for eighth on squad) … recorded multiple stops in 9-of-12 games … made five tackles in home-opening win over Montana … starting with the Montana contest, was in on at least one stop behind the line of scrimmage in three-straight games (0.5 vs. Montana, one vs. The Citadel, one at Chattanooga) … had four tackles, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry in win over Coastal Carolina … made a season-high seven stops versus Wofford … had four tackles, including one for loss, in win at top-ranked Georgia Southern … recorded five tackles in season-ending loss to Illinois State.

2011: Redshirted.

High School: Local product was named 2010 Hickory Daily Record Defensive Player of the Year ... also earned first-team all-Charlotte Observer recognition ... led Alexander Central with 50 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior ... also forced a fumble and blocked two kicks in final prep campaign ... notched 38 tackles, eight TFL, three sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior in 2009 ... helped lead Alexander Central to the Northwestern 3A-4A Conference championship as a senior in 2010 ... coached by Tom Harper ... was also 4A regional champion and state quarterfinalist as a 285-pound wrestler as a junior.      

Personal: Full name is Stephen Ray Burns ... born Nov. 24, 1992 (turns 23 during season) ... son of Jean (Sissy) Hallyburton ... majoring in criminal justice.