Watts Named Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
11/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2011
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Sophomore running back Trey Watts has been named a nominee for the 2011 Burlsworth Trophy, the committee announced today.
The Burlsworth Trophy and the presenting sponsor, the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club, announced the 2011 list of 50 nominees, which includes team captains, all-conference selections, and national statistical leaders from every conference in the nation.
The trophy is given to the most outstanding collegiate football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. A walk-on is defined as a player who began his first season of participation with a D-I (Football Bowl Subdivision) football program without financial aid of any kind from his university's athletic department.
Watts came to Tulsa as a walk-on and took a redshirt in 2009. He has been an impact player over the last two years, earning a scholarship and finding his way into a starting role in his redshirt sophomore season.
He has started all but one game this season, and he has carried the football 121 times for 712 yards and three touchdowns. He has also recorded 21 receptions for 134 yards and two scores.
The ever-versatile Watts also serves as a punt and kickoff returner for the Golden Hurricane, and he leads Tulsa with 1,079 all-purpose yards.
*The Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without any Division I scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Razorbacks 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.
