Tag: Burlsworth Trophy

Drake Stoops named Burlsworth Trophy finalist

Drake Stoops was named a finalist for a prestigious awards given to players who started as walk-ons.

When [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] decided to attend the [autotag]University of Oklahoma[/autotag] and play football as a walk-on, there were many who thought it was a nice story for him to come play where his dad coached but didn’t expect any contribution.

But those who knew Stoops, and saw him play in high school, knew he was going to make the most of his opportunities. Stoops has become Mr. Reliable for the Sooners. He seems to get open when they need him to, and he catches just about everything as well.

The sixth-year senior had a pretty decent year a season ago, and some wondered if it would be his final season in Norman. Instead, he decided to use his extra year of eligibility and play one more time for the school he grew up watching.

What a decision that was. Stoops leads the Big 12 in receptions and is top 3 in yards this season. He has 62 catches for 692 yards and nine touchdowns. All of which leads the Sooners.

Because of the season he’s having, Stoops was named as a finalist for the [autotag]Burlsworth Trophy[/autotag]. That’s an award given to the nation’s best player who started their career as a walk-on.

[autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] is the only Sooner ever to take home that award. Stoops won’t have to wait long to find out. The Burlsworth Award will be given out on Dec. 4, 2023.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Drake Stoops named a semifinalist for prestigious national award

Coming off a career game against Oklahoma State, Drake Stoops was named a semifinalist for a prestigious national award.

Coming off statistically the best game of his career, [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag] was named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.

Against Oklahoma State, Stoops caught 12 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.

In his sixth season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Stoops is having a career year in 2023. He’s already set career-best marks in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns with three games to go. In 2023, Stoops leads the Sooners with 52 receptions and is second in receiving yards and touchdowns with 528 yards and six touchdowns.

The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation will announce the finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy on Nov. 14, with the winner announced on Dec. 4. Former Sooner [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] won the award twice in 2016 and 2017.

Best Photos of Drake Stoops over the years.

 

Rutgers football Christian Dremel got nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy

Christian Dremel got nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarding the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on.

On Tuesday, Rutgers football wide receiver Christian Dremel was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. The Burlsworth Trophy is an award given to the most outstanding football player who began his career as a walk-on and has performed highly on the field.

The senior from Caldwell, New Jersey, leads the Scarlet Knights in receptions with 23, recording 294 yards and three receiving touchdowns through eight games. Dremel has averaged 12.8 yards per catch and 36.8 yards per game this season. For his career, Dremel has recorded 33 catches for 363 yards and three touchdowns in 40 games.

Dremel’s best start in 2023 came against Michigan State in Week 7, where the first-year starter recorded six receptions for 80 yards. The senior wide receiver scored receiving touchdowns in three consecutive games from Week 3 to Week 5.

 

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After the conclusion of this past offseason and spring practices, Dremel achieved the Marks Mills Second Effort Award for his determination, dedication, and hard work on the offensive side of the ball. The award is named in memory of former Scarlet Knight running back Mark Mills. The award is given to an offensive player showing the most determination, dedication, hard work, and improvements in the offseason and spring practices.

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A three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Dremel will be back in action on Saturday against Ohio State, as the Scarlet Knights host the Buckeyes in Week 9.

 

Michigan State football P Bryce Baringer named a Burlsworth Trophy nominee

Bryce Baringer has been named a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the best player who started as a walk-on

Michigan State football punter Bryce Baringer has had an incredible story. From joining Illinois as a walk-on, transferring to MSU, to hanging up the pads to join the social media team, to returning and becoming the best punter in the country and likely a future NFL draft selection, it’s the thing of legends.

Now, Baringer is in position to win the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the best player in the NCAA who starter their career as a walk-on. Baringer was named a nominee for the award on Monday.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

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Georgia football QB Stetson Bennett named finalist for Burlsworth Trophy

Stetson Bennett has a great chance at winning the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the top former walk-on player in the country

Georgia football quarterback Stetson Bennett has helped the Bulldogs achieve an undefeated 10-0 record. Bennett, a senior, originally walked-on at Georgia. He played for the UGA scout team. Next, he transferred to Jones County Junior College in 2018 before eventually transferring back to Georgia.

In 2021, Bennett has thrown for 15 touchdown passes, four interceptions, and 1,625 passing yards. Bennett is averaging an impressive 10.9 yards per attempt. Bennett’s mobility has been key to opening up the UGA rushing offense. He’s run for 216 yards and a touchdown this year.

Jones quarterback Stetson Bennett (5) runs the ball against East Mississippi during MACJC Championship Game.(Photo/Bob Smith-For the Clarion Ledger)

Stetson Bennett is putting together a case to be considered for one of the top honors in all of college football: the Burlsworth Trophy

Stetson Bennett has a great chance at winning the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the top former walk-on player in the country. Bennett is one of three finalists for the award.

Bennett managed to outshine one of his competitors, Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan, when the two played against each other in October. Morgan has 78 total tackles for the Razorbacks in 2021.

Another finalist is Troy linebacker Carlton Martial, who has 102 total tackles so far this season.

The winner of the Burlsworth Trophy will be announced on Dec. 6, which is two days after the SEC Championship.

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Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops nominated for Burlsworth Trophy for best walk-on

Oklahoma wide receiver Drake Stoops has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy that is presented to the nation’s best walk-on.

Oklahoma wide receiver Drake Stoops has been named of the 67 nominees for the annual Burlsworth Trophy that is presented each year to the most outstanding player in college football who started out as a walk-on.

On the year, Stoops has caught 12 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Several of those catches came in key moments, though, as he has developed into a fairly reliable target for freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield previously won the award twice in both 2015 and 2016.

The trophy is named after Brandon Burlsworth, a former Arkansas walk-on and all-American offensive lineman. Without a division one scholarship offer, he walked on to Arkansas and had a great collegiate career eventually being drafted 63rd overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

He was tragically killed in a car accident just eleven days later, and the Burlsworth Foundation was created in his honor.

The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony on Jan. 4th.

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Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops nominated for Burlsworth Trophy for best walk-on

Oklahoma wide receiver Drake Stoops has been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy that is presented to the nation’s best walk-on.

Oklahoma wide receiver Drake Stoops has been named of the 67 nominees for the annual Burlsworth Trophy that is presented each year to the most outstanding player in college football who started out as a walk-on.

On the year, Stoops has caught 12 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Several of those catches came in key moments, though, as he has developed into a fairly reliable target for freshman quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield previously won the award twice in both 2015 and 2016.

The trophy is named after Brandon Burlsworth, a former Arkansas walk-on and all-American offensive lineman. Without a division one scholarship offer, he walked on to Arkansas and had a great collegiate career eventually being drafted 63rd overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

He was tragically killed in a car accident just eleven days later, and the Burlsworth Foundation was created in his honor.

The winner will be announced in a virtual ceremony on Jan. 4th.

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MSU DE Kenny Willekes named a semi-finalist for Burlsworth Trophy

Michigan State’s star defensive end Kenny Willekes was named a semi-finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the top walk-on player.

This has not been the season we were hoping to see out of Michigan State Football as a whole, but that doesn’t mean everyone has struggled, and it’s still been another strong season by Michigan State’s best player: Kenny Willekes. Willekes was just announced today as a semi-finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation’s top walk-on football player.

From their website:

“In 2010 The Burlsworth Trophy was created to honor the achievements and successes of the Walk-On athlete. It is presented annually to the Most Outstanding player who began his career as a Walk-On.”

And here is what they said about Willekes:

“Willekes, a preseason All-America selection and last year’s Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, has 55 tackles this season. He has 21 solo tackles with 5.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Spartans. Willekes was named Defensive Player of the Week by the Big Ten and the Walter Camp Football Foundation after recording seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Tulsa earlier this season.”

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