Indiana University Athletics
Walker Nominated for Burlsworth Trophy
10/31/2023 1:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – On Tuesday (Oct. 31), the Burlsworth Trophy announced its nominees for consideration of the 2023 award and Indiana football redshirt senior Trey Walker was among the 73 FBS nominees for the award that is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on.
Walker has appeared in 13 career games and garnered his first career start in Week 4 against Akron, where he also hauled in his first collegiate catch. The 20-yard grab was part of a two-catch game for Walker, who joined the program as a walk-on in 2019. He has appeared in seven games in 2023 with five receptions for 46 yards.
The Winnetka, Illinois, native owns his undergraduate degree in sport marketing and management. He spent four seasons as a walk-on but was awarded a scholarship during fall camp prior to the start of the 2023 season.
The Burlsworth Trophy was first awarded in 2010 and is presented each year to "college football's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on." The trophy is presented to a young man who embodies the values that Brandon Burlsworth stood for. Brandon was a walk on football player at the University of Arkansas and completed his college career as an All-American and the 63rd overall pick in the NFL draft.
He was the first Razorback football player in history to complete his master's degree before playing his final college game. Tragically, he was killed in an auto accident just days after the draft. The Burlsworth Trophy is presented by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation at the annual award show each December.
"Once again, a tremendous group of former walk-on players are up for the Burlsworth Trophy", said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and older brother of Brandon Burlsworth. "These young men have not only shown their diligence, but they had to work extra hard just for the opportunity to contribute to their teams. They did it the Burls Way, they earned it!"
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2023 winner will be on December 4, at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Walker has appeared in 13 career games and garnered his first career start in Week 4 against Akron, where he also hauled in his first collegiate catch. The 20-yard grab was part of a two-catch game for Walker, who joined the program as a walk-on in 2019. He has appeared in seven games in 2023 with five receptions for 46 yards.
The Winnetka, Illinois, native owns his undergraduate degree in sport marketing and management. He spent four seasons as a walk-on but was awarded a scholarship during fall camp prior to the start of the 2023 season.
The Burlsworth Trophy was first awarded in 2010 and is presented each year to "college football's most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on." The trophy is presented to a young man who embodies the values that Brandon Burlsworth stood for. Brandon was a walk on football player at the University of Arkansas and completed his college career as an All-American and the 63rd overall pick in the NFL draft.
He was the first Razorback football player in history to complete his master's degree before playing his final college game. Tragically, he was killed in an auto accident just days after the draft. The Burlsworth Trophy is presented by the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation at the annual award show each December.
"Once again, a tremendous group of former walk-on players are up for the Burlsworth Trophy", said Marty Burlsworth, President and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy and older brother of Brandon Burlsworth. "These young men have not only shown their diligence, but they had to work extra hard just for the opportunity to contribute to their teams. They did it the Burls Way, they earned it!"
Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994. He became a three-year starter and was eventually named an All-American in 1998. Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL draft but was tragically killed in a car accident 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2023 winner will be on December 4, at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Players Mentioned
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