Tennessee punter Trevor Daniel, a sophomore from Dickson County, is one of 55 nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy, which goes to the best college football player in the country who began his career as a walk-on.
photo by Tennessee Athletics/File
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –Tennessee’s sophomore punter Trevor Daniel is among the nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy, presented to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
Daniel is also a candidate for the Ray Guy Award.
In first nine college games, Daniel is averaging 46.3 yards per punt, fifth in the NCAA and second in the SEC.
Of his 44 punts, 15 have landed inside 20-yard line and 17 have been for 50-plus yards.
Daniel boomed six punts for a 51.3 average (seventh-best in a game in Tennessee history) at Florida in September (9/26), including four of 50-plus yards with a long of 56. He averaged 50.0 yards per punt on nine punts vs. #19 Oklahoma (9/12), including five punts of 50-plus yards and three inside the 20-yard line; longest was 61 yards.
Daniel is in his third year with the Vols after being a squad member in 2013 and 2014.
The Burlsworth Trophy announcement:
Today, 55 players have been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. The 2015 list includes team captains, All-Conference selections and national statistical leaders from every conference in the nation.
The trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America, who began his career as a walk-on. The 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 Jan. 22, 2016.
The 2014 winner was wide receiver Justin Hardy from East Carolina University. Hardy broke the NCAA all-time receiving record with 355 catches.