Colorado State University Athletics
O'Brien named Burlsworth Trophy nominee
11/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Colorado State center Kevin O'Brien has been named a nominee for the 2015 Burlsworth Trophy. The annual award is named after former Arkansas walk-on and All-America offensive lineman Brandon Burlsworth, and is given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
O'Brien, a native of Katy, Texas, has played in all nine games this season, earning two starts. He has helped block for a trio of running backs that have rushed for 1,350 yards and nine touchdowns. The Rams rank 18th in the NCAA FBS, allowing just 4.78 tackles for loss per game, and 26th, surrendering just 1.33 sacks per game.
O'Brien was moved into the starting lineup four games into the 2014 season due to a season-ending injury to Jake Bennett. O'Brien's first start at center came at Boston College, a 24-21 victory, and throughout the season he helped CSU's offense break several school records, including total yards, yards per game, passing yards, passing yards per attempt and passing touchdowns. O'Brien blocked for a 3,500-yard passer and 1,200-yard rusher, and helped CSU top the 500-yard mark five times, including twice surpassing 670 yards.
The economics major played in one game as a sophomore in 2013 and redshirted in 2012. He started his career at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. After spending the first three years of his CSU career as a walk-on, O'Brien was given a scholarship prior to the start of his senior season during a team meeting, which was documented on video.
The list of Burlsworth Trophy nominees features 55 players, including four offensive linemen. The nominees will be narrowed down to three finalists later this season, and the winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Springdale, Ark., on Dec. 7.
"In this sixth year of the Burlsworth Trophy, I am again impressed by the quality and commitment of the athletes who have been nominated," said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. "These young men represent what the Burlsworth Trophy stands for: character, hard work, dedication to a sport and to their school and above all else, a desire to excel at the highest level."
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.
