COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Eight Mountain West football players are among the 78 FBS players nominated for the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy, which honors the top player who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field.
Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with an FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university’s athletic department.
Boise State kicker Jonah Dalmas, Fresno State linebacker Malachi Langley, Hawai‘i defensive lineman Jackie Johnson III, New Mexico wide receiver Michael Buckley, San Diego State kicker Gabriel Plascencia, UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard, Utah State cornerback Noah Flores and Wyoming kicker John Hoyland represent the MW on the list.
In its 15th year, the award is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on at the University of Arkansas in 1994 without one Division I scholarship offer. 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, particularly those children who have limited opportunities.
The Burlsworth Trophy Award Show to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2024 winner will be on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. CT at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Burlsworth Trophy nominees (MW selections)
Jonah Dalmas, Sr., K, Boise State
Malachi Langley, Sr., LB, Fresno State
Jackie Johnson III, Jr., DL, Hawai‘i
Michael Buckley, Jr., WR, New Mexico
Gabriel Plascencia, Jr., K, San Diego State
Jackson Woodard, Sr., LB, UNLV
Noah Flores, R-Fr., CB, Utah State
John Hoyland, Sr., K, Wyoming
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