SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Monday, Clemson’s Hunter Renfrow was named ninth winner of the Burlsworth Trophy in Springdale, Ark. at a ceremony hosted by the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club.
The award is given to the nation’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on. On hand to present the trophy to Renfrow was Marty Burlsworth, Chairman and CEO of the Burlsworth Trophy.
The Burlsworth Trophy Presentation ceremony was held at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center
Renfrow has caught 41 passes for 472 yards and a touchdown through 13 games this season for the second-ranked Tigers (13-0). He caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in Clemson’s 49-21 victory against Georgia Tech. Renfrow, who walked on after receiving multiple FCS scholarship offers, but no offers from Division I schools, appeared at wide receiver, punter and quarterback in a victory against Wake Forest. Renfrow, 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, is averaging 11.0 yards per reception with a long of 40 yards for the second-ranked Tigers and last year was a third-team All-ACC selection. Last season Renfrow caught 60 passes for 602 yards and 3 touchdowns. Renfrow, who has four touchdown receptions in two national title game appearances against Alabama, graduated in May with a degree in economics.
Other finalists for the award were University of California running back Patrick Laird, and the University of Wyoming safety Marcus Epps.
Laird, named a Burlsworth semifinalist in 2017, has 771 yards and five touchdowns on 179 carries this season. Laird, 6-foot and 205 pounds, has caught 43 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns for the Bears over their first 10 games. He is one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award, presented to the nation’s top student athlete. Laird, who was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2017 season, had 241 all-purpose yards in a Cal (6-4) victory against Oregon State. As a junior Laird was an All-Pac-12 selection and first-team Pac-12 All-Academic pick, becoming the 16th player in Cal history to run for 1,000 yards. Laird was considering opportunities at several Ivy League schools when Cal offered him a chance to join the team as a walk-on in 2014.
Epps is among the Cowboys’ team leaders with 51 tackles, including five tackles for loss and five pass breakups through 10 games. He had a season-high eight tackles with a sack against Colorado State, helping Wyoming (4-6) to a 34-21 victory. Epps has started 47 of 48 games since beginning his career as a freshman walk-on and is the first Wyoming player in 122 years to be named a three-time team captain. Epps, 6-foot and 197 pounds, is among the Top 10 in active FBS players with nine career interceptions. Last season he helped Wyoming to an 8-5 record and bowl game appearance as he recorded 68 tackles with 4 interceptions and 7 pass breakups. Epps had no Division I offers as a high school player.
Past Burlsworth Trophy winners include:
· 2017- Luke Falk, Quarterback- Washington State
· 2016- Baker Mayfield, Quarterback- Oklahoma
· 2015- Baker Mayfield, Quarterback- Oklahoma
· 2014- Justin Hardy, Receiver- East Carolina
· 2013- Jared Abbrederis, Receiver- Wisconsin
· 2012- Matt McGloin, Quarterback- Penn State
· 2011- Austin Davis, Quarterback- Southern Mississippi
2010- Sean Bedford, Center- Georgia Tech
The trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth. Without one D1 scholarship offer, Brandon walked on to the Razorback 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. Brandon Burlsworth's life is also the subject of a major motion picture, "GREATER", which was released in 2016.
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