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Utah State senior defensive end Jordan Nielsen is one of 55 players from across the country who have been nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, it was announced Tuesday by the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club.
The Burlsworth Trophy, now in its sixth year, is given annually to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on.
A Sky View High School product, Nielsen redshirted his first season at Utah State (2011). He was put on scholarship in the fall of 2012 and has played in 50 straight games while helping the Aggies compile a record of 35-15.
Through the first nine games this season, Nielsen has recorded 39 tackles, including two sacks. He has also recovered two fumbles.
In his career, Nielsen has recorded 162 tackles, including 20.5 tackles-for-loss and 11 sacks. He has recovered four fumbles. He recorded a career-high nine tackles in Utah State's 48-14 loss at San Diego State on Oct. 23.
For Utah State, Nielsen's nomination marks the sixth time in as many years that the Aggies have had a player nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy. He joins linebacker Zach Vigil (2014), linebacker Jake Doughty (2013), safety McKade Brady (2012), wide receiver Eric Moats (2011) and defensive lineman Levi Koskan (2010) as USU nominees.
The Burlsworth Trophy is named after Brandon Burlsworth, who walked on to the Arkansas football team in 1994 without one Division I scholarship offer. He became a three-year starter for the Razorbacks and was eventually named an All-American.
In the 1999 NFL draft, Burlsworth was selected as the 63rd overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. He was killed in a car accident 11 days later.
— Steve Luhm