Andrew Rich Among Nominees for Inaugural Burlsworth Trophy

FAYETTEVILLE -- BYU senior safety Andrew Rich is among the nominees from across the country announced today for the inaugural Burlsworth Trophy.

In honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman, the award will be given to the collegiate player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Nominees must have began their first season of participation with a Division 1 (FBS) football program without financial aid from their athletic department.

After joining BYU as a walk-on player, Rich has gone on to earn a starting role and become an All-Mountain West Conference performer. A team captain in 2010, Rich leads BYU with 89 tackles and three forced fumbles through 10 games while adding five pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.

“We are very excited to see so many nominees for the first year of this award,” said Marty Burlsworth, founder and CEO of the Burlsworth Foundation and brother of Brandon. “Like Brandon, all of these players have shown amazing work ethic and determination on and off the field.”

Without one Division 1 scholarship offer, Brandon Burlsworth walked on to the Razorback team in 1994, worked his way to being 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 that have limited opportunities.

Finalists will be named on Dec. 1 with the winner announced on Dec. 15. A banquet will be held in honor of the winner on Feb. 7, 2011 in Springdale, Ark. hosted by the Springdale Rotary Club.

2010 Burlsworth Trophy Nominees
Player                 Class  Position           School
Andrew Abbott          SOPH   Cornerback         UCLA
Howard Barbieri        SR     Center             Rutgers University
Devin Barclay          SR     Place Kicker       Ohio State University
Marcus Bartels         JR     Free Safety        Florida Atlantic University
Sean Bedford           SR     Center             Georgia Tech
Travis Bradshaw        JR     Safety             Rice University
Dylan Breeding         SOPH   Punter             University of Arkansas
Matt Brown             SOPH   Tailback           Temple University
Derek Chard            SR     Long Snapper       University of Connecticut
Tyler Clark            SR     Center             Troy University
Austin Davis           JR     Quarterback        University of Southern Miss
Bradie Ewing           JR     Fullback           Wisconsin
John Fairbanks         SR     Center             University of Florida
Daniel Graff           SR     Defensive Back     LSU
Brett Greenwood        SR     Defensive Back     University of Iowa
Daniel Hardy           SR     Tight End          University of Idaho
Adam Harris            JR     Fullback           Syracuse
George Helow           SR     Cornerback         Ole Miss
Alex Henery            SR     Punter             Nebraska
Michael Hodges         SR     Linebacker         Texas A&M
Steven Johnson         JR     Linebacker         Kansas
Levi Koskan            JR     Defensive End      Utah State University
Jordan Kovacs          JR     Safety             University of Michigan
Spencer Lanning        SR     Kicker             University of South Carolina
Logan Link             SR     Safety             Purdue University
Will Lowery            SOPH   Defensive Back     University of Alabama
Josh McNary            SR     Defensive End      Army
Bryant Moniz           JR     Quarterback        University of Hawaii
Aaron Nichols          SR     Wide Receiver      Oregon State University
Matt Nicholson         SR     Linebacker         University of Houston
Dak Notestine          SR     Defensive Lineman  Ohio University
Bradley Spencer Ortego SR     Punter             Univ. of Louisiana Lafayette
Joe Phillips           SR     Kicker             University of Utah
William Powell         SR     Running Back       Kansas State University
Trent Ratterree        SR     Tight End          University of Oklahoma
Grant Ressel           JR     Place Kicker       University of Missouri
Nick Reveiz            SR     Linebacker         University of Tennessee
Andrew Rich            SR     Safety             BYU
Anthony Santella       SR     Punter             University of Illinois
Broderick Sargent      SOPH   Defensive End      Colorado State
Josh Smith             SR     Defensive Lineman  East Carolina University
Bryant Ward            SR     Fullback           Oklahoma State University
Jake Williams          SR     Wide Receiver      Iowa State
Justin Winters         SR     Inside Linebacker  Buffalo
Ryan Winterswyk        SR     Defensive End      Boise State University