In the course of a 10-minute conversation, Marcus Burton mentions numerous times his desire to not make excuses for his disappearing act. He's trying to get things right.

But it's complicated.

There are extenuating circumstances for which he takes responsibility. His life is much more chaotic than he could have imagined just two years ago. But it's not all stress. There is joy, too.

The Colorado linebacker from Channelview, Texas, made a name for himself and raised fans' expectations considerably during his true freshman season in 2005. One play in particular continues to stick out. It was a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown at Oklahoma State, preserving a shutout.

When he crossed the goal line that afternoon in full sprint in the final minute of the game, he ran toward a gaggle of reporters in the back of the end zone and said 'Write it up. write it up.'

Over the past two seasons, there hasn't been much to write when it comes to Burton. His development as a football player has taken a back seat to his most important job -- being a father to his 7-month-old son, Tysen.

"It's a challenge even if you're not playing football just going to school or working," Burton said. "Being a dad is hard, but it has its perks, and I think I've learned a lot doing it. It's a daily struggle, but I just work at it.

"I don't want it to be like my situation was growing up where my dad wasn't around. Feeding him andchanging his diapers is fine with me."

Burton, like other teammates, struggled making the transition between the system under former coach Gary Barnett and what was instituted when Dan Hawkins took over the program. He also suffered a broken leg, which caused him to miss three games in his sophomore season in 2006.

His grades took a turn for the worse in 2007, and he sat out all of last year trying to catch up and regain his eligibility. He is back on track now, but remaining steady and focused is a challenge with so many forces vying for his attention.

"It's a lot for him," assistant head coach and longtime linebackers coach Brian Cabral said. "Balancing all that, I mean he had a hard enough time just balancing school and football. So now he's got to balance three things, which is hard.

"But I think there is some progress. Slow progress. I think he understands what he needs to do, and he is by no means trying to avoid any of it."

Former Colorado quarterback Bernard Jackson has spent a few afternoons on the sidelines at spring practices over the past month. He can relate to what Burton is experiencing. Jackson became a father before his junior season in college and the demands on his time and his heart contributed to becoming academically ineligible for his senior season.

Jackson said Burton has not asked for his advice about juggling life in football with life as a student, his relationship with Tysen's mom, Krislen Morgado, and fatherhood. If he did, Jackson said he would tell him something along these lines.

"I guess my advice would be to use all the people he's afraid to use," Jackson said. "Use all the resources available to him. He's probably holding a lot back. He might be a little embarrassed about his situation, but he needs to use the coaches and players and everyone around and stay focused. And don't let it stop you."

Burton has missed practice time this spring to focus on academics. Despite those absences, he finds himself at the top of the depth chart at the weakside linebacker position after Jake Duren was arrested last weekend and kicked off the team.

Cabral admits he's not comfortable with his limited options at the position. Burton is not as far along as he needs to be for coaches to rely on him in games, though he did lead the defense with 10 tackles in the second major spring scrimmage. He needs to significantly improve his conditioning and his understanding of the defense.

Walk-ons Bryan Stengel and Brandon Gouin and redshirt freshman Josh Hartigan are behind him on the depth chart. Hartigan is the only scholarship player other than Burton and he has missed most of spring as well with a neck injury.

Spring practices will end on Saturday with the spring game, but no matter how well he plays, Burton can count on coaches finding someone to push him hard for playing in fall camp in August. Recruits Doug Rippy and Shaun Mohler, a junior college transfer, are both expected to get a chance to show what they can do.

Burton says he wants to be the starter next season. He even says he should be the starter. But he is careful to include a caveat. He has to handle everything else in his life just to have an opportunity to make it happen.

When doubts creep into his mind, he hears a voice in his head. He spent plenty of time last season talking with All-American linebacker Jordon Dizon, who he counts as a big influence. He said Dizon encouraged him to focus on leaving a legacy in whatever he did.

He asked Burton. "What do you want people to think of you and remember about you when you graduate and move on to the next stage of your life?"

He doesn't want to be another promising athlete who washed out.

"It's been a learning experience I guess you could say," Burton said. "You have to take something from it. Being able to practice and look my teammates in the eyes and see their fire has kind of motivated me to make sure that it never happens again."