TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo senior tight end Reggie Gilliam (Columbus, Ohio) was named a candidate for the Burlsworth Trophy on Tuesday.
 
The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in America 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.
 
Gilliam was a second-team All-MAC selection at tight end in 2018. He led the country and set a school record with four blocked kicks. Gilliam, who was fourth on the team with three touchdown receptions, was named Academic All-MAC and earned the MAC Medal of Excellence for superior athletic and academic achievement in 2018. He has seven receptions for the Rockets through eight games in 2019.
 
Gilliam graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies last spring and is currently working on his master's degree in liberal studies. Off the field, he has volunteered his time working at the Boys and Girls Club, the Glass City Marathon, Central Trail Elementary School, Rosa Parks Elementary School, DeVeaux Elementary School, Victory Day, the My First Days Day Care and area youth football camps.
 
The Burlsworth Trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-America offensive lineman. 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 Brandon Burlsworth Foundation was created in his memory and supports the physical and spiritual needs of children, in particular those children who have limited opportunities.
 
The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation, in conjunction with Springdale Rotary Club, will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 9, 2019 in Springdale, Ark. to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2019 winner.