Nov. 10, 2015
RENO, Nev. - Nevada senior linebacker Jordan Dobrich is on the nomination list for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is given annually to the nation's most outstanding college football player who is, or began his career as a walk-on.
Dobrich is a three-year starter and three-time team captain who was recently named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete - one of just 12 nationally - as he carries a 3.85 grade-point average in mechanical engineering.
The senior from Magalia, Calif., is one of 55 players on the nomination list for the award, which is now in its sixth season. Dobrich did not have a single FBS scholarship offer out of Paradise High School and walked on at Nevada in the fall of 2011. He later earned a scholarship and has become a team leader.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman, Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a new major motion picture, "GREATER", which will be released on January 22, 2016.
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.
Springdale Rotary Club will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 7th in Springdale, (Ark.) to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2015 winner.
The 2014 winner was wide receiver Justin Hardy from East Carolina University. Hardy broke the NCAA all-time receiving record with 355 catches.
