A 46-yard touchdown against Fresno State on October 18, 2024, gives Nathaniel Burleson II a football milestone that belongs to him. His surname carries an NFL career, college championships, professional basketball, and television fame. That catch belongs to a different ledger: the developing record of a young wide receiver finding his own place on the field.
Known on college rosters as Nate Burleson II, he is the older son of former NFL receiver and television host Nate Burleson and former Nevada hurdler Atoya Burleson. I find his individual statistics the best starting point, because family history explains his surroundings without predicting his future.
From Two Sports to Wide Receiver
Nathaniel’s exact birth date is not publicly established. Descriptions of him as 19 in July 2023 and 20 in June 2024 suggest a birth around 2003 or 2004. I would not assign a specific birthday from those ages alone.
His geographic labels also differ. Nevada listed Newcastle, Washington, as his hometown, while another college profile lists Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, as his birthplace. Those labels can coexist in an athlete’s life and need not describe the same stage of childhood.
Before college, he played football and basketball. His football experience included Don Bosco Prep and Ramapo High School in New Jersey. At Ramapo, his senior football line was nine catches for 225 yards and four touchdowns across four games.
Basketball was a serious alternative. During his junior season in 2021 and 2022, he averaged 11.5 points and 2.6 rebounds, shooting 58 percent from the field, 45 percent from three-point range, and 78 percent at the foul line. His father later explained that the family had expected basketball to become his college sport.
Nathaniel favored the possibilities of using his roughly 6-foot-3 frame at receiver. I see that choice as a useful reminder that following a parent’s sport can still involve an independent decision.
Nevada and the First College Milestones
He began at the University of Nevada, the school where both parents had competed. Wearing number 12, he made his college debut against USC on September 2, 2023. He appeared in three games and redshirted that season.
His first receptions came against Wyoming on November 25, 2023. The season total was two catches for 18 yards. The following year brought more appearances and his first college touchdown.
| Season | Team | Receptions | Receiving yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nevada | 2 | 18 | 0 |
| 2024 | Nevada | 3 | 71 | 1 |
| 2025 | Nevada | 3 | 58 | 0 |
| 2026 through October 3 | New Haven | 12 | 192 | 1 |
In 2024, he played nine games and started twice. His 46-yard touchdown against Fresno State was followed later that season by a 16-yard fourth-down reception at Boise State on November 9.
The 2025 season included 11 appearances and four starts. A 45-yard reception at Fresno State on October 4 supplied most of his 58 receiving yards that year. Those are limited receiving totals, but they provide a concrete record without the need for predictions about a professional future.
A New Chapter at New Haven
By 2026, Nathaniel was listed as a New Haven Chargers wide receiver wearing number 3. His listed measurements were 6 feet 2 inches and 171 pounds. Earlier Nevada listings varied slightly in height and weight, as player measurements often do over several seasons.
Through the October 3, 2026, game, his New Haven line stood at 12 catches, 192 yards, and one touchdown. The opening game against Merrimack on August 28 included two catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in a 22 to 21 victory.
I would keep that statistical cutoff visible. It describes the games available through October 3, rather than claiming a final 2026 season total. His listed career receiving line at that point was 20 catches for 339 yards and two touchdowns.
Nate and Atoya Burleson as Parents
Nathaniel Eugene “Nate” Burleson was born in Calgary on August 19, 1981. He played at Nevada from 2000 through 2002, spent 11 seasons in the NFL, and later became a television host and football analyst.
Atoya Shaw Burleson brings an equally important athletic history. At Nevada, she helped the Wolf Pack win the 2000 Big West outdoor title, earned an individual conference title in the 100-meter hurdles, and set three school records.
Their son’s Nevada connection therefore runs through both parents. I would resist telling the family story as if only the former NFL player supplied its athletic roots.
When Nathaniel left for college, his father encouraged him to make the journey his own. That advice fits the central challenge of a recognizable sports surname: it can open a conversation before the player has touched the ball.
Siblings Grandparents and Uncles
Nathaniel has a younger brother, Nehemiah, and a sister, Mia. Nehemiah joined Nevada football in 2024, creating a period when the brothers shared the college setting. Mia has also appeared in sports broadcasting through NFL Slimetime.
| Relative | Family connection | Athletic background |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin “Al” Burleson | Paternal grandfather | Football at Washington, Calgary, and Los Angeles |
| Valerie Burleson | Paternal grandmother | Mother of Nate and his brothers |
| Alvin Burleson Jr. | Paternal uncle | College football |
| Kevin Burleson | Paternal uncle | Professional basketball and coaching |
| Lyndale Burleson | Paternal uncle | Nevada basketball |
| Joey Shaw | Maternal uncle | Nevada basketball |
The family tree resembles a crowded team sheet, but each career remains distinct. Nathaniel has no established professional contract or disclosed NIL valuation, and there is no reliable personal net worth figure to assign him.
FAQ
Who is Nathaniel Burleson II?
He is a college wide receiver, publicly listed as Nate Burleson II, and the older son of Nate and Atoya Burleson.
Which college team does he play for?
He is listed with New Haven in 2026 after three seasons at Nevada. His New Haven jersey number is 3.
Is his mother an athlete?
Yes. Atoya Burleson competed in track at Nevada and won a conference title in the 100-meter hurdles.
Does he have a brother in football?
Yes. His younger brother Nehemiah joined Nevada football in 2024.
Is his exact birthday known?
No exact date is established here. The available ages suggest a birth around 2003 or 2004.
