Burris was born on January 20, 1923 in Nowata, Oklahoma. He was raised in Muskogee, Oklahoma by farmer Paul "Pop" Burris. He had five sisters and five brothers. All of his male siblings also played football, with the first three earning letters at Oklahoma: Kurt, Bob, Lynn, Lyle, and Don. Buddy Burris attended Muskogee Central High School where he played football. There in 1939, he participated in the football team\'s 12–0 "Indian Bowl" victory over Daniel Webster High School of Tulsa, Oklahoma.\n', '

In 1942, Burris enrolled at the University of Tulsa. There, he played football for the Golden Hurricane under the head coach Henry Frnka. Burris played in the 1943 Sugar Bowl loss to sixth-ranked Tennessee. In 1943, Burris enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Second World War in Europe and Japan. While in the service, he achieved the rank of staff sergeant.\n', '

After the war, Burris returned home with the intent of resuming college. At Tulsa, head coach Frnka had moved onto Tulane and had been replaced by Buddy Brothers. Burris said he liked Brothers, but was angered by one of his assistants who told him he had an obligation to return to Tulsa. Instead, Burris went to Norman, Oklahoma to watch the Oklahoma Sooners practice. First-year head coach Jim Tatum sent Burris onto the practice field where he blocked three punts. Tatum was impressed enough to offer Burris a scholarship the following week.\n', '

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