BHS Alumni — Then and Now: Tyler Burge

Tyler Burge is a BHS alumnus from the class of 2012. Tyler was born in Buford and raised by his parents, Ken and Kelli Burge. He has an older sister, Kayla McBryant, 29. Tyler started at Buford kindergarten in 1999, and he attended Buford City Schools all the way through his senior year. 

During his time at BHS, Tyler was on the basketball team as a freshman, and he was on the baseball team as a senior. He played on the football team all four years of high school, and he was in the BHS chorus for all four years, as well. In his senior year, he sang “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band in the annual chorus variety show. In football, Tyler was a two-year starter at the center position, and he competed in four state championships, winning three of them. 

In addition to his busy athletic schedule, Tyler was also an excellent student, earning a GPA of 3.5-plus. His favorite subject while in high school was math because he loves anything to do with numbers.

When asked which teacher had the biggest influence on him, Tyler struggled to name just one.

“The teachers I had genuinely loved their students and put their all in every day,” he said.

Tyler remembers Ryan Daniel having a major influence on him at BHS. Daniel was an assistant football coach and special education teacher. Tyler said he remembers when they would have practices in the summer, and he felt like he had nothing left to give, RD would always be there to encourage him and pick him up. Off the field, Tyler said he could always tell how much Daniel loved his students and how much he gave to them every day. He always treated every student and player with the utmost respect and love. Tyler was honored to receive the first RD scholarship that was created to remember Coach Daniel after his tragic passing just weeks after the football season had ended. 

Tyler also remembers coach Christian Honeycutt, who would always spend the early mornings working with Tyler to help him earn his spot on the field on Friday nights. Honeycutt taught him that success does not fall into your lap — it comes with hard work, discipline and execution. That work ethic is one of the most important things Tyler learned during his time at Buford. Another lesson he learned is the importance of family after Coach Daniel’s passing. The entire Buford community came together to honor the life and legacy of one of the most influential coaches and teachers in Buford, and that always stuck with Tyler as he continued on past BHS.

After graduating from BHS, Tyler attended University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, for two years, and then he attended Kennesaw State University, where he graduated with a sports management degree in 2017. At University of the Cumberlands, Tyler was a national champion runner-up in football and a member of the academic all conference. At KSU, he graduated magna cum laude.

Tyler lives in Flowery Branch with his wife, his high school sweetheart Danielle Durden Burge. The couple has two beautiful children, Beau, 2, and Genevieve, 5 months. Tyler works as an insurance agent at Alfa Insurance in downtown Buford. He previously volunteered coaching eighth grade football at Buford Middle School, but since Beau was born, he has focused his extra time on his family.

Tyler is very grateful to have been brought up in Buford in such a special community. 

“There are so many special people in my hometown that have influenced me and I wouldn’t be where I am without those people,” he said. “Buford is a special place and it’s hard to put into words unless you experience it for yourself.”

Tyler Burge is an excellent member of the Buford community, and we are proud to call him a BHS alumnus. Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!

The Buford High School alumni spotlights are made possible by the generosity of the City of Buford.