FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jake Rothschiller, a junior starting safety for the Lobo defense, has been named as one of 52 nominees for the 2016 Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation’s most outstanding player who started as a walk-on. Rothschiller was a walk-on with New Mexico prior to earning a scholarship after the 2015 season.
In the award’s seventh year, the Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas Walk-On and All-American offensive lineman. Burlsworth’s life is also the subject of a major motion picture, “GREATER”, which was released earlier this year. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American 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.
The 2015 winner was quarterback Baker Mayfield from the University of Oklahoma. Mayfield is believed to be the only true freshman Walk-On quarterback in FBS history to start a season opener. He also led his Sooners to the college football playoffs last year.
Rothschiller has played in eight games this season, starting the last three, all New Mexico wins. He has 16 tackles on the season, 10 solo, with 2.0 tackles for loss and an interception. In addition to being UNM’s starting nickel, he plays on almost all of UNM’s kickoff and punt return and coverage teams. He is also one of seven identical twins in the FBS that plays the exact same position as his brother.
Rothschiller is the third Lobo to be named a Burlsworth nominee, joining Matt Raymer and Zack Rogers.
“This is the seventh year of the Burlsworth Trophy and once again we have a very strong group of nominees” said Marty Burlsworth, CEO and founder of the Burlsworth Foundation and older brother of Brandon. “All of these young men have worked extremely hard and have overcome tremendous obstacles to become the players they are today.”
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.
Springdale Rotary Club will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 5th in Springdale, AR to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2016 winner.
Rothschiller Named to Burlsworth Trophy Watch List
